genus

Crown-of-thorns Sea Stars

Acanthaster

Field notes

Acanthaster is a genus of large and venomous starfish placed in the monotypic family, Acanthasteridae. Its members are known as crown-of-thorns starfish. Acanthaster species are corallivores and hence pose a significant threat to coral reefs, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, thereby intensifying the coral reefs crisis.

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Range

United States

Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided

Most observed native crown-of-thorns sea stars All

Native to the US, by observations.