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Taxonomy
Phylum: Echinodermata
This is not a Mollusc. Other non-Molluscan Phyla (Echinodermata, Brachiopoda etc) have been included to help identify species that may be mistaken for Mollusca, but are not.
Family:
STICHASTERIDAE
Full Classification:
Echinodermata (Phylum)
> Asterozoa (Subphylum)
> Asteroidea (Class)
> Forcipulatacea (Superorder)
> Forcipulatida (Order)
> Stichasteridae (Family)
> Stichaster (Genus)
> australis (Species)
Genus Synonyms:
=Coelasterias Verrill, 1867
=Tonia Gray, 1840
Images: Stichaster australis (Verrill, 1867)
At low tide around rocks, Far North, NZ. 200-250mm
In a shady crevice at extreme low tide, Tapotupotu Bay, Far North, NZ. ~150mm
In a shady crevice at extreme low tide, Tapotupotu Bay, Far North, NZ. ~150mm
Taxonomy
Phylum: Echinodermata
This is not a Mollusc. Other non-Molluscan Phyla (Echinodermata, Brachiopoda etc) have been included to help identify species that may be mistaken for Mollusca, but are not.
Family:
STICHASTERIDAE
Full Classification:
Echinodermata (Phylum)
> Asterozoa (Subphylum)
> Asteroidea (Class)
> Forcipulatacea (Superorder)
> Forcipulatida (Order)
> Stichasteridae (Family)
> Stichaster (Genus)
> australis (Species)
Genus Synonyms:
=Coelasterias Verrill, 1867
=Tonia Gray, 1840
Details: Stichaster australis (Verrill, 1867)
Distribution:
Throughout NZ, Chatham and Snares Islands
Geographical Range:
ACFMAnE.
Notes:
Reef Starfish, Marine, Endemic, Purple-pink and apricot colour with 11 arms
Distribution Map
 
References and Publications
  • Mills, S., Neill, K., Anderson, O., Davey, N. 2017 Extraordinary Echinoderms. A guide to the echinoderms of New Zealand. Version 2, Niwa Guides (p.20)

Key to Geographical Ranges
NZ Map showing Geographical Ranges
The symbols K.A.C.F.M.An. are used to indicate the geographical range of the species. They have been adopted to give an approximation of the range of each species within New Zealand.
K=
Kermadec Islands
A=
Aupourian - Kaipara Harbour, north around North Cape, encompassing the Three Kings Islands and south to East Cape
C=
Cookian - Lower North Island and the northern part of the South Island
F=
Forsterian - Otago, Fiordland and Stewart Island
M=
Moriorian - Chatham Islands, Pitt Island
An=
Antipodean - Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
Fw =
Freshwater
L =
Land
N =
North Island
S =
South Island
E =
Endemic
I =
Introduced
R =
Recent
Sf =
Subfossil
Fo =
Fossil
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