SEA STARS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST RIDGED BLOOD STAR Henricia aspera aspera

Class Asteroidea

Order Valvatida

Family Goniasteridae

RIDGED BLOOD STAR

Henricia aspera aspera Fisher, 1906

Identification:

5 slender arms, small central disc. Aboral surface coarse with distinct ridges in a mesh-like pattern. Yellow to brick red or purple. To 38 cm (15 in) across.

Range:

Bering Sea to southern California and to the Sea of Japan; 6 to 904 m (20 to 3,000 ft).

A typical RIDGED BLOOD STAR. Note the conspicuous mesh-work of ridges with clusters of gills in the depressions between the ridges.

A pale specimen from Sechelt Inlet, BC.

Close-up view showing the mesh-like ridges bearing clusters of tiny spinelets.

A colourful specimen from Skookumchuck Rapids, BC.

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Notes:

Uncommon, but occasionally found in BC fjords. Likely eats sponges. The genus Henricia has proven to be particularly troublesome for taxonomists. Several new species await description.