Luidia maculata

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Asteroidea · Order: Paxillosida · Family: Luidiidae · Genus: Luidia.

Accepted name: Luidia maculata · Authority: Müller & Troschel, 1842 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 213112.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Luidia maculata var. ceylonica Döderlein, 1920; Luidia varia Mortensen, 1925.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213112 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

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

Maximum length: 60 cm · Depth range: 0–512 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Vulnerability index: 44 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

SeaLifeBase notes: Occurs on soft bottoms, exposed or buried in the sand (Also Ref. 129602) at depths of 0 to 90 m (Ref. 800). Also found on seagrass (Ref. 102259). Carnivorous and feeds on other echinoderms and molluscs (Ref. 800). Swallows prey as a whole, instead of protruding the stomach out to digest a prey (Ref. 125532).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 86691) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Luidia-maculata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

1,015 georeferenced occurrence records for Luidia maculata are published through GBIF from 34 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 226 distinct locations from a sample of 1,015 records, omitting 57 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 (573); Singapore (98); New Zealand (94); Hong Kong (62); Philippines (28).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2270568) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2270568&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=213112 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Luidia maculata is a large starfish, up to 25 cm in diameter. There are usually seven or eight (sometimes nine) long, slender, pointed arms and a relatively small central disc. The aboral (upper) surface is flat, with some granulations, the surface covered with flat-topped, table-like structures known as paxillae. Rows of pale-coloured tube feet that end in points rather than suction pads, are visible on the sides of the arms and the oral (lower) surface.

There are two different colour forms of this starfish; some individuals are a uniform shade of dark brown or greenish-brown, while others are dark brown with orange-brown chevron-shaped markings, or light brown with dark markings. This starfish could be confused with some other member of the Luidia genus, particularly L. savignyi, but that species is spiny whereas L. maculata is smooth. Another similar species is L. magnifica, but that typically has nine or ten arms.

Distribution and habitat

Luidia maculata is native to the tropical Indian and Pacific Ocean. Its usual habitat is muddy sand on the floor of lagoons, but it may also be found on other soft sediments and in seagrass beds. Its depth range is from a few metres down to about 35 m.

Ecology

Luidia maculata partially buries itself in soft sediment rendering itself difficult to spot. It is a predator, feeding mostly on sea urchins, particularly irregular sand dollars and similar echinoderms which also live buried in sand. Unlike some related species which practice external digestion, it draws its prey inside its mouth to consume.

When it emerges from hiding, it often leaves behind inedible fragments of test from its prey in the hollow it vacated. Other dietary items include sea cucumbers, brittle stars, bivalves, snails, crustaceans and worms. Unlike other starfish that practice extra oral digestion Luidia maculata ingests its prey at the oral orifice in the center of the disc, ventral surface, and consumes it inside itself.

Source: Wikipedia: Luidia maculata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luidia_maculata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.