Alaska Species Explorer
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Giant Pacific Octopus -
Red King Crab -
Moon Jelly -
Gumboot chiton -
Rose Star -
Green Sea Urchin -
Spot Prawn
All
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Rose Star
x
- – No known individuals remaining.
- – Known only to survive in captivity, or as a naturalized population outside its historic range.
- – Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of extinction in the wild.
- – High risk of endangerment in the wild.
- – Likely to become endangered in the near future.
- – Lowest risk. Does not qualify for a higher risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.
- – Not enough data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction.
- – Has not yet been evaluated against the criteria.
Common Name: Rose Star
Scientific Name: Crossaster papposus
Size: Up to 12 inches (30cm) diameter, most often with 11 rays (8-16 rays)
Distribution:
Circumpolar in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Pacific south to Sea of Okhotsk and to Puget Sound, Washington.
Habitat: Intertidal to 1,200m (3,900ft), prefers areas with low current
Life History:
Breeding occurs from March to April and each star can spawn several times within a season. A female sea star can release more than 2000 eggs at a time.
Diet in the Wild: Broad diet of sea pens, mollusks, bryozoans and tunicates
Natural Predators: Sunflower Star, Dawson’s Sun Star
Population Status:
This is a common sea star in the northern Pacific and there is no indication that their populations are unhealthy.
Additional Information:
This species may have 8-16 arms, or rays, but 10-11 rays are most common. Many sea stars, including the rose star, have a commensal relationship with polychaete scale worms, the sea star provides food and protection to the worm.
Fun Facts:
- This attractive sea star gets its name from the red, pink or purple radiating rings of color on its back.
- A relatively fast sea star, the rose star has been clocked at a blistering 70cm/min!
