ASTEROIDEA 115 



3. Solaster endeca (Linnaeus). (Fig. 68.) 



(Syn. Solaster intermedius Sluiter.) 



Rays generally 9-10, but their number may vary from 7 to 13. 

 Paxillae of dorsal side small, close-set, with short spines. Marginal 

 paxillae not very conspicuous ; in two, often alternating, series, the 

 upper much smaller than the lower ones. In larger specimens 

 the lower marginal paxillae are broad, comb-shaped. Furrow 

 spines 2-3, rarely 4, small, almost concealed in the furrow ; a 

 transverse series of 6-8 rather short spines on outer surface of 

 adambulacrals. R = ca. 2-5 r. Grows to a very considerable size. 



Fig. 68. — Young specimen of Solaster endeca, dorsal side. Nat. size. 

 (From Danmark's Fauna.) 



up to ca. 400 mm. diameter. Colour in life a uniform yellowish- 

 red or faintly violet.^ Often the disk and the basal j^art of the 

 rays are somewhat more strongly coloured. 



Development direct, without a pelagic larval stage. Breeding 

 season March-April. The food consists mainty of other echino- 

 derms, and, like S. papposus, it is very voracious, being able to 

 devour animals almost as large as itself. 



In British seas it occurs from the south coast of Ireland all 

 round the west, north, and east coasts, at least as far south as 

 Cullercoats, whereas it is not known from the south coast of 

 England or from the Channel.^ It is common in the Scandinavian 



^ At the Atlantic coasts of N. America it is usually dark purple. 

 ^ The statement in Bell's Catalogue Brit. Echinoderms (p. 91) that it 

 occurs " north of coast of Franco " does not seem warranted. 



