Multimedia Gallery
Under the Antarctic Ice--Sea Star
A sea star (Perknaster aurorae) rests on the bottom of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. The dorsal color of this type of sea star ranges from brick with dark red markings to beige with brick bands along the arms and on the disc. The ventral color is pale yellow with dark red interradial bands that reach the oral region.
More about this image
P. aurorae is found in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, South Georgia Island and Shag Rocks and probably throughout Antarctica from 18 to 310 meters depth. P. aurorae has a large, convex disc and long arms that are wide at the base. It has been collected at sizes up to 14 centimeters in radius from its center to the tip of an arm.
For more information about sea stars and other benthic life in McMurdo Sound, see the Underwater Field Guide to Ross Island & McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. [Note: Please see "Special Restrictions" below regarding use of this image.] (Date of Image: January 2005)
Credit: Henry Kaiser, NSF
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