- kingdomAnimalia
- ›phylumEchinodermata
- ›classAsteroidea
- ›orderValvatida
- ›familyOphidiasteridae
- ›genusLinckia
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Images attached to GBIF records (field photographs), from . Open licences; click for the record.
azure sea star
Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Also calledBlauer Seestern (deu) · Blå Linckia søstjerne (dan) · Comète de mer bleue (fra) · Estrela-azul (por) · Kék tengericsillag (hun) · Linckia bleue (fra) · Stella blu indo-pacifica (ita) · Stella di mare blu (ita) · Stella marina blu (ita) · estrella de mar azul (spa) · hvězdice modrá (ces) · rozgwiazda niebieska (pol) · Étoile de mer bleue (fra) · ดาวทะเลสีน้ำเงิน (tha)
First described in: Linnaeus, C. (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Editio Decima, Reformata [10th Revised Edition], Vol. 1: 824 Pp. Laurentius Salvius: Holmiae., Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata, [iii], 824 p. Impensis Direct. Laurentii Salvii. Holmiae [Stockholm], 1758. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.542
Linckia laevigata, sometimes called the blue Linckia, or blue star, is a species of sea star commonly found in the shallow waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific.
Descriptions from checklists and floras indexed by GBIF
distribution
“ Not recorded in present study. ” Previously reported from the Persian Gulf: (Purwati & Lane 2004; Adeli et al. 2022). Despite the publications listed above, the existence of Linckia laevigata in the Persian Gulf should remain circumspect. Purwati and Lane (2004) reported on the asteroid fauna of an expedition to the Anambas Islands in the southern South China Sea, listing the Persian Gulf as a further locality for L. laevigata. We were unable to trace any primary reference for this statement. Adeli et al (2022) reported on the first traceable specimens of L. laevigata from the Persian Gulf, but their images and description are not definitive for identification of this species.
Systematics, distribution and ecology of sea stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) from Iranian waters of the Persian Gulf and a revised identification key
discussion
Comments A species identified based on its distinctive arm shape and irregularly arranged abactinal plates. Although color is variable across its range, this species is best known for its distinctive blue color. The individual figured herein shows a more blue-green color (Fig. 37 C) and was spotted on the rocky substrate in Basalt Island at 7 m. Only one occurrence was recorded during our study but others have been recorded by citizen science accounts which show the more typical deep-blue color. Liao & Clark (1995) had recorded this species from Hong Kong waters, but stated that it was not a commonly encountered species.
New Ecological Observations and Occurrence for Asteroidea and Echinoidea in Hong Kong
distribution
Occurrence / Distribution Hong Kong, 7 m. Outside Hong Kong. Widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific. Southern China, Japan, Taiwan, Northern and Western Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Tahiti, Pitcairn Island, Polynesia to the Indian Ocean, to east Africa, 0 – 60 m.
New Ecological Observations and Occurrence for Asteroidea and Echinoidea in Hong Kong
From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Description
The variation ("polymorphism", in this case, a "color morph") most commonly found is pure blue, dark blue, or light blue, although observers find the aqua, purple, or orange variation throughout the ocean. These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter, with rounded tips at each of the arms; some individuals may bear lighter or darker spots along each of their arms. Individual specimens are typically firm in texture, possessing the slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other members of the family Ophidiasteridae, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet. An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and is typically found in sparse density throughout its range. Blue stars live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata and move relatively slowly (mean locomotion rate of 8.1 cm/min). The genus Linckia, as is true of other species of starfish, is recognized by scientists as being possessed of remarkable regenerative capabilities, and endowed with powers of defensive autotomy against predators: Although not yet documented, L. …
Where it has been recorded
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Linckia laevigata in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
From the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy and occurrence records (GBIF.org), with Wikipedia and the Source Library. GBIF species 5187093.