SEA STARS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST FAT BLOOD STAR Henricia sanguinolenta

Class Asteroidea

Order Spinulosida

Family Echinasteridea

FAT BLOOD STAR

Henricia sanguinolenta (O.F. Müller, 1776)

Identification:

5 long arms that become fatter near the small central disc. Aboral surface coarse. White, range, red or lavender. To 26 cm (10.4 in).

Range:

Circumpolar. In the Pacific from the Aleutians south to Washington State; 15 to 518 m (50 to 1,700 ft).

Note the long arms that become quite fat near the disc. This specimen was found in Skookumchuck Narrows, BC.

An unusual 6-rayed specimen from Skookumchuck Narrows, BC.

A specimen from Porlier Pass, BC, sitting on top of an encrusting sponge.

3 - 3

Notes:

Uncommon. In BC fjords, often found draped over large sponges. It is believed that it may take advantage of the feeding currents of the sponges to feed on plankton or suspended organic particles. It also feeds directly on sponges, ingesting the soft tissues.