Fromia polypora H.L. Clark, 1916

Scientific name: Fromia polypora
  • Author(s)
    Jen Cork
  • Updated
    18/12/20
  • Read time
    2 minutes
J24324 Fromia polypora Click to enlarge image
J24324 Fromia polypora Image: Stephen Keeble
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Fromia
    Species
    polypora
  • Size Range
    Width 120 mm

Identification:

Five arms rounded in cross-section, tapering to a narrow, rounded point. Aboral surface minutely granular, bright orange flecked with black

Distribution:

Temperate inshore and continental shelf areas from off Sunshine Beach, Qld, south to Tasmania and west to Houtman Abrolhos, WA; Norfolk Island. Depth range 0-160 m.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Australian Museum registration database records for the Sydney region:

Long Reef; Port Jackson (Green Point); Coogee Beach; Bate Bay (Boat Harbour); 1.6-3.2 kms off Cronulla. Depth range 20-39.6 m.

Habitat:

Exposed reef.

Taxonomic information - synonyms and type material:

Fromia polypora Clark, 1916: 51, pl. 14(1-2).
Type data: holotype AM E5018, paratype(s) MCZ.
Type locality: east of Maria Is., TAS.

J24324 Fromia polypora

Fromia polypora

Image: Stephen Keeble
© Australian Museum

Remarks:

Readily found at ‘Jolong Reef’ approximately 700m north east of Cape Banks at ~20m depth, November 2008.

Links for further information:

Atlas of Living Australia

World Register of Marine Species

Additional references:

Clark (1946) (as Austrofromia polypora); Marsh (1976) (as Austrofromia polypora); Rowe (1989); Edgar (1997).