Petricia vernicina (Lamarck, 1816)

Scientific name: Petricia vernicina
  • Author(s)
    Jen Cork
  • Updated
    18/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
J24327 Petricia vernicina Click to enlarge image
J24327 Petricia vernicina Image: Stephen Keeble
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Petricia
    Species
    vernicina
  • Size Range
    Width 20mm

Identification:

Flattened with five rigid, slightly tapering, arms that are shorter than the width of the cental disc and bluntly rounded distally. Arms meet at obtuse angles forming a distinct star shape. Dorsal surface somewhat spongy in appearance with indistinct plates, dull brown or grey to orange and red.

Distribution:

Inshore and continental shelf areas including Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands, from Caloundra, Qld south to Tasmania and west to Houtman Abrolhos, WA; Kermadec Ils, southwest Pacific Ocean. Depth range 0-60 m.

Australian Museum registration database records for the Sydney region:

Pittwater; Whale Beach; Long Reef; Port Jackson (near Cobblers Beach, Middle Head; Watson’s Bay; Bottle and Glass Rocks); Coogee Bay; Botany Bay (La Perouse). Depth range: not recorded.

Habitat:

Reef.

Taxonomic information - synonyms and type material:

Asterias vernicina Lamarck, 1816: 554.
Type data: type status unknown MNHP.
Type locality: Australian seas (as 'les mers australes?').

Petricia punctata Gray, 1847: 81.
Type data: holotype BMNH 1846.8.4.16.
Type locality: Stephens Is., Torres Strait (as 'Reef of Attagor'), QLD.

Asteropsis imperialis Farquhar, 1898: 193, pl. 13(1-2).
Type data: holotype whereabouts unknown (whereabouts undetermined).
Type locality: Raoul Is. Kermadec Ils, SW Pacific.

Petricia obesa Clark, 1923: 241, pl. 13(1-2).
Type data: holotype, paratype(s) MCZ 2773.
Type locality: Pelsart Is., Houtman Abrolhos, WA.

J24330 Petricia vernicina

Petricia vernicina

Image: Stephen Keeble
© Australian Museum

Links for further information:

Atlas of Living Australia

WoRMS World Register of Marine Species

Additional references:

Clark (1946) (as Petricia obesa H.L. Clark, 1923); Shepherd (1968); Marsh (1991); Edgar (1997).