Physical Description

The most strikingly identifiable feature of Linckia multifora is its colouring. Whilst it is difficult to determine the differences between species due to their diversity in colour, it is clear upon first look that it belongs to the genus, Linckia (Williams, 2000).These different colours are called ecophenotypes, because they are differences that have permanently been prompted during development by environmental factors (Crawford, 2007). L. multifora is known as the multi-pore sea star as it is irregularly covered with pores across the dorsal surface. These pores are further seen across the sides, but do not exist on the underside of the sea star (Williams, 2000). These pores are often different colours and are easily identifiable. The different colouration in L. multifora allows the species to blend in to the environment, making them very difficult to spot amongst rocks and algae. The distinct colouration observed on Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia for this species was a grey-blue form with the very tips of each arm bright blue in colour. On Heron Island, the underside of L. multifora is a cream colour with randomly placed yellow spots. 



The length of the arms varies in size due to the reproduction method of L. multifora, although the width and shape remain consistent as it is unique to the species. The general shape of each arm is cylindrical with anywhere between 4 - 8 arms, although it averages at 5 arms (Williams, 2000). Other identifying features of this species are a small central disc, and the surface of the epidermis (the ‘skin’ of the sea star). L. multifora has a very granular-like surface that is rough to touch, and not smooth (Crawford, 2007). They are not a soft, smooth sea star, but rough and heavily armoured species. This armour is a heavy dermal tissue that is fixed into the skeleton (Blake, 1983). The purpose of this armour is suggested to be both for predation and physical environmental protection. This armour is particularly prominent in the Indo-West Pacific where they are located in more exposed habitats (Blake, 1983).

This is not a large sized sea star species, but a smaller one. Size values of 9 individuals collected on Heron Island are shown in table 1 under the life history page. These varied greatly, but the span from tip to tip of the longest arms did not exceed 95 mm. The smaller size allows this sea star to easily hide under rocks, corals and in tight crevices on the reef.