Iconaster longimanus
A starfish with mosaic-like marginal plates and long, slender arms.
The icon star or double star, *Iconaster longimanus*, is a starfish from the Goniasteridae family. Its genus name comes from the Greek for "portrait" or "image" (*eikon*), likely because its marginal plates frame the central disc like a picture, combined with *aster* (star). The species name *longimanus* is Latin for "long hand," referring to its slender arms.
This starfish has five thin, flattened, tapering arms and reaches about 30 cm (12 in) across, with a central disc roughly 10 cm (4 in) wide. A row of large, mosaic-like marginal plates, usually tan with dark brown bands, contrasts with the orange-brown disc.
It lives in the tropical west and central Indo-Pacific, from southeastern Arabia to the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, the South China Sea, Indonesia, and northern and western Australia. Found at depths of 6 to 85 m (20–279 ft) on deep reefs, it is common in Singapore on lower reef slopes and rubble areas, where it feeds on lithophytes growing on rocks and coral fragments.
Little is known about its diet, but it likely includes detritus, bacteria, microorganisms, and small benthic invertebrates. This starfish produces large, yolky eggs that develop directly into juveniles, skipping a larval stage.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Iconaster
- Species
- longimanus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Iconaster longimanus has five thin, tapering, flattened arms and grows to a diameter of about 30 centimetres. Its central disc is about 10 centimetres across. The starfish is characterized by a marginal row of large plates that resemble mosaic tiles and contrast in colour with the disc; the margin is usually tan with symmetrically arranged dark brown bands, while the disc is orange-brown. The specific name comes from the Latin 'longus manus', referring to the long, slender arms. It is found in deep reef areas at depths of 6 to 85 metres, and is common in Singapore, where its typical habitat is lower reef slopes and adjoining areas of rubble. There it feeds on lithophytes growing on rocks and coral fragments.
Reader's Guide
Iconaster longimanus is a species of starfish in the family Goniasteridae, found in the west and central Indo-Pacific Ocean. Its notable features include five long, slender arms and a marginal row of large, mosaic-like plates that frame the disc, with a tan margin bearing dark brown bands and an orange-brown disc. The species is known to inhabit deep reef areas at depths between 6 and 85 metres, and is common in Singapore on lower reef slopes and rubble areas, where it feeds on lithophytes. Not a lot is known about its feeding habits, but it is believed to include detritus, bacteria, micro-organisms, and small benthic invertebrates in its diet. The starfish produces large yolky eggs that develop directly into juvenile starfish without an intervening larval stage. Its range includes south eastern Arabia, the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, the South China Sea, Indonesia, and northern and western Australia.
Did You Know?
- The genus name 'Iconaster' comes from the Greek 'eikon', meaning portrait or image, possibly referring to the way the marginal plates frame the disc.
- The specific name 'longimanus' comes from the Latin 'longus manus', meaning long hand, referring to its long, slender arms.
- It is common in Singapore, where it inhabits lower reef slopes and adjoining areas of rubble.
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