Crossaster papposus (common sun star)
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Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order:
Family: Solastridae
C.papposus is a very distinctive sun star that grows to a maximum of approximately 34 cm in diameter. The colouring varies but is usually either red or a brownish red with a pale banding across the bases of the arms which usually number between 10 and 12 with examples of 8 or 14 to 16 being found rarely. The whole surface of the animal is covered with small but distinctive spiny paxillae which also project along the edges of the arms. C.papposus is found on sand, stones, mussel and oyster beds from the shallow sublittoral to around 50m. It is carnivorous with it’s diet including other echinoderms especially Asterias rubens.
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