Jonston's Sand Star

Astropecten jonstoni

Jonston's Sand Star is a small sea star characterized by its unique shape and coloration. It features a larger disc compared to other species and has short, triangular arms that are pointed at the tips. The aboral side displays a range of colors, including beige, turquoise-green, and grey-brown. This species can be distinguished from similar species, such as young Astropecten platyacanthus, by its size and overall morphology, reaching a maximum diameter of about 7–8 cm. This sea star inhabits the Mediterranean Sea, preferring sandy seabeds at depths between 1 and 12 meters. Unlike many of its relatives, Jonston's Sand Star is often active during the day, particularly in the early morning and late afternoon. It typically buries itself under sediment during the day, emerging at dusk to hunt for its primary prey, bivalve mollusks, which it captures using its arms and transports to its mouth. Reproduction in Jonston's Sand Star involves both sexual and asexual methods, with embryos developing into planktonic larvae before metamorphosing into juvenile sea stars. Encounters with this species during dives can be rewarding, as divers may spot them actively foraging on the seabed or partially buried in the sand. The conservation status of Jonston's Sand Star is currently not evaluated.