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Protoreaster nodosus (Linnaeus, 1758)
| Family Name: | Oreasteridae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Echinoderm) |
| Common Name: | Knobbly Sea Star, Knobby Starfish, Giant Knobbly Seastar |
Name
Description
| Description | A large robust sea-star, pinkish, orange or beige in colour and with prominent, darkly pigmented, conical protuberances on the upper surface. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | An extra-oral feeder, but little is known of its biology. |
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| Habitats | Marine, Sandy Shore |
| Distribution | Rarely seen in Singapore waters in recent years. In 1991 a small population (about 5 per 100m2) was found on a reef flat fringing Pulau Semakau, part of which has now been overtaken by development. By 2004 another population had been found intertidally in the eastern Johor Straits, and another population in the north-east. Distribution is thus very restricted. |
| Nature Areas | Pulau Tekong, Pulau Ubin |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Vulnerable to potential mutilation of disturbance by reef walkers or to habitat loss during reclamation. Elsewhere in the Indo-west Pacific, notably the Philippines, medium to small individuals have been dried in large numbers as curios for export. This activity could become a threat in Singapore but is not likely as the population is small. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Little is known of its biology but large size indicates that it may be an important part of the reef ecosystem. A useful bioindicator species for monitoring reef health. |
| Conservation Notes | Persistence in Singapore is unlikely unless its refuge habitats are conserved (e.g. as marine protected areas) and remain free from degradation or inappropriate development. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Endangered (EN) [2008], Endangered (E) [1994] |
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Ng, P.K.L. & Wee, Y.C. (Eds.). 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book (1st Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 343pp Tan, R. & Yeo, A. 2003. Chek Jawa guidebook. Singapore: Simply Green. 219pp |
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