Back
Fromia monilis Perrier, 1869
| Family Name: | Ophidiasteridae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Echinoderm) |
| Common Name: | Peppermint Sea Star |
Name
Description
| Description | Arm tips and disc bright red. Supromarginal plates large, and on proximal half of arm, are found in a relatively continuous series. |
|---|
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Found on reef slope rocky strata. |
|---|---|
| Habitats | Marine |
| Distribution | Common in the Indo-Malay Archipelago. In Singapore, known only from Sultan Shoal. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Collection by SCUBA divers might easily lead to local extinction. |
|---|---|
| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species is typical of oceanic reef systems in the Indo-West Pacific and its presence at Sultan Shoal is perhaps indicative of better water quality at this offshore islet. |
| Conservation Notes | The discovery of this species here in 1992 was a new record for Singapore, and brought the local species count for asteroids to more than 20. The restricted access to Sultan Shoal (and some other offshore islands) affords some protection. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Vulnerable (VU) [2008] |
|---|
Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp Lane, D. J. W. & Vandenspiegel, D. 2003. A Guide to Sea Stars and Other Echinoderms of Singapore. Singapore: Singapore Science Centre. 187pp |
|---|