Asterodiscides truncatus

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Asteroidea · Order: Valvatida · Family: Asterodiscididae · Genus: Asterodiscides.

Accepted name: Asterodiscides truncatus · Authority: (Coleman, 1911) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 291658.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Asterodiscus truncatus Coleman, 1911.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291658 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Asterodiscides truncatus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 14–792 m · Habitat zone: benthic · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

SeaLifeBase notes: It feeds by secreting enzymes for predigestion of the prey before swallowing (Ref. 82739).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 130824) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Asterodiscides-truncatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

248 georeferenced occurrence records for Asterodiscides truncatus are published through GBIF from 3 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 43 distinct locations from a sample of 248 records, omitting 15 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Australia (199); New Zealand (45); New Caledonia (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2272745) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2272745&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291658 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The starfish has plates on its aboral (upper) surface arranged in a reticulate fashion with brightly coloured tubercles scattered between them. There are only a few inconspicuous marginal plates but the superomarginal plate at the end of each arm is very large. The tube feet are tipped with suckers and do not have any spicules. The tubercles vary in size and colour, making a red, purple and orange pattern on the aboral surface. There is a pair of very large tubercles at the tip of each arm.

Endemic to Australia, A. truncatus occurs on the south and east coasts, on the western end of the Norfolk Ridge and the Kermadec Islands. In southern Australia it is a deep water species found in rocky habitats at 120 m, but in New South Wales it occurs on shallow rocky reefs in the subtidal zone.

Asterodiscides truncatus feeds by grazing on sponges and other colourful benthic organisms at the base of the kelp forest, amongst which its bright colours are inconspicuous. A commensal shrimp can sometimes be found living among the tubercles. It has been observed releasing gametes into the water column by standing on the tips of its arms to raise its body off the sea floor. However, little is known of the biology of this starfish.

Source: Wikipedia: Asterodiscides truncatus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asterodiscides_truncatus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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