Cladaster salebra
A deep-sea starfish with six furrow spines and unique pedicellariae.
Cladaster salebra is a sea star from the family Goniasteridae, living off New Caledonia. Its species name, *salebra*, means "a rough road" in Latin. This species stands out from others in its genus because it has six furrow spines and its abactinal plates reach all the way to the tip of the arm. In contrast, other *Cladaster* species have only two to four furrow spines and their superomarginal plates meet across the arm. Additionally, *C. salebra* has subambulacral pedicellariae, which are missing in the Indian Ocean species *Cladaster katafractarius* and the high-latitude *Cladaster analogus*.
The body is stout and star-shaped, with triangular arms ending in pointed tips. The abactinal plates are polygonal or round, larger on the central disk and smaller near the edges, and they line up along the arm to the tip. Each plate has 1 to 10 widely spaced granules, usually 3 to 6. There are 16 superomarginal and 20 inferomarginal plates per interradius (from arm tip to arm tip). Both types of marginal plates carry 20 to 40 widely spaced granules, most often around 30. The furrow spines number six. A single large subambulacral spine sits next to a similarly large, forceps-like pedicellaria.
This species is known only from off New Caledonia, at a depth of 1,054 meters. The holotype was collected from a sandy, sedimented seafloor.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Cladaster
- Species
- salebra
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The species epithet salebra is Latin for 'a rough road'. This species is differentiated from other Cladaster species by the presence of six furrow spines and abactinal plates extending to the arm terminus; other Cladaster species possess two to four furrow spines and have abutted superomarginals across the arm radius. Cladaster salebra displays subambulacral pedicellariae, which are absent on the Indian Ocean Cladaster katafractarius and the high-latitude Cladaster analogus.
The species has a stout, stellate body with triangular arms that have pointed tips. Abactinal plates are abutted, individually polygonal to round in shape, larger on the disk and smaller distally, adjacent to the superomarginal contact, and extend along the arm to the terminus. Granules, numbering 1 to 10 (mostly 3 to 6), are very widely spaced on each plate. There are 16 superomarginal plates and 20 inferomarginal plates per interradius. The surfaces of both superomarginal and inferomarginal plates bear 20–40 (mostly 30) widely spaced granules. Furrow spines number 6. A single large subambulacral spine is present, adjacent to a similarly large, forceps-like pedicellariae.
This species is known from off New Caledonia at a depth of 1054 meters. The holotype was collected from a sandy, sedimented bottom.
Reader's Guide
Cladaster salebra contributes to the understanding of deep-sea starfish diversity in the Goniasteridae family. Its unique combination of six furrow spines and abactinal plates extending to the arm terminus provides clear taxonomic distinction from congeners. The presence of subambulacral pedicellariae further separates it from the Indian Ocean Cladaster katafractarius and the high-latitude Cladaster analogus, which lack such structures. The species' collection from a sandy, sedimented bottom at 1054 meters off New Caledonia adds to knowledge of habitat preferences within the genus. The specific epithet 'salebra' (Latin for 'a rough road') may allude to the challenging environment or taxonomic journey. As a deep-sea species, it underscores the ecological and morphological specialization found in abyssal echinoderms.
Did You Know?
- Cladaster salebra has 6 furrow spines, while other Cladaster species have 2 to 4.
- It displays subambulacral pedicellariae, which are absent in Cladaster katafractarius and Cladaster analogus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Cladaster salebra?
Cladaster salebra is a deep-sea sea star in the family Goniasteridae, known from the waters surrounding New Caledonia. It is a relatively obscure member of the Cladaster genus, set apart by its unusually high furrow-spine count and its deep-water habitat.
What makes Cladaster salebra different from other Cladaster species?
Where most of its relatives carry only two to four furrow spines, C. salebra bears six, and its abactinal plates run all the way to the arm tips instead of being capped by superomarginal plates meeting across the arm. It also possesses subambulacral pedicellariae, a trait that is entirely absent in both C. katafractarius and C. analogus.
Where and how deep does Cladaster salebra live?
The species is recorded from a single locality off the coast of New Caledonia at a depth of roughly 1,054 meters. That places it well into the deep-sea zone, far below the photic layer where most shallow-water starfish are found.
What does the name 'salebra' actually mean?
The specific epithet is drawn from the Latin word for 'a rough road,' a nod to the spiny, heavily textured surface of this particular starfish. It evokes the rugged, uneven look of its arm margins and dense plate arrangement.
Why do researchers care about Cladaster salebra?
Its combination of six furrow spines, full-length abactinal plating, and the presence of subambulacral pedicellariae gives scientists a useful reference point for tracing how defensive and structural traits shifted across the genus. Comparing it with the Indian Ocean C. katafractarius and the high-latitude C. analogus helps map evolutionary divergence among Cladaster lineages.
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