Nine Sea Stars From Karimunjawa, Jepara

There is nine species of asteroidea from Karimunjawa islands, Jepara, Indonesia:

1. Archaster angulatus
2. Archaster typicus
3. Culcita novaeguineae
4. Echinaster luzonicus
5. Linckia laevigata
6. Linckia multifora
7. Nardoa frianti
8. Nardoa pauciforis
9. Protoreaster nodosus

Explanation : a. dorsal side; b. ventral side

Asteroidea play an important role in coral reef ecosystems, especially in food webs, generally as predators and detritus feeder. Asteroids has a prefered habitat affected by food habits and kinds of food.

A. angulatus and A. typicus was found on sand flat,

C. novaeguineae, L. laevigata, L. multifora, N. frianti, N. pauciforis was found on reef flat

E. luzonicus and P. nodosus was found on seagrass bed

There is need further research about diversity and the habitat of asteroids in Karimunjawa Islands.