Stuck between a rock and a hard place… This vibrant red cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi) stands out brilliantly against the dark background of its sheltered crevice habitat. At a depth of 20 feet off the shores of Ensenada Grande, the brilliant red hue would not be visible without the aide of an artificial light source since the red end of the electro magnetic spectrum is completely diffused and absorbed before reaching this depth. The cushion star is stout with a body wall that is inflated and has no spines on the lower surfaces or on the marginal arm plates. On the oral side (the side with the mouth) the tubed sucker feet are usually well hidden within the ambulacral grooves which run down the center of each arm. Usually found on rocky substrates on patch reefs or in the intertidal zone, this beautiful sea star can be found throughout the Gulf of California to northern Peru as well as in the Galapagos Islands.
- Daily Expedition Reports
- 22 Dec 2001
From the Sea Lion in the Sea of Cortez, 12/22/2001, National Geographic Sea Lion
- Aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion
- Baja California
Stuck between a rock and a hard place… This vibrant red cushion star (Pentaceraster cumingi) stands out brilliantly against the dark background of its sheltered crevice habitat. At a depth of 20 feet off the shores of Ensenada Grande, the brilliant red hue would not be visible without the aide of an artificial light source since the red end of the electro magnetic spectrum is completely diffused and absorbed before reaching this depth. The cushion star is stout with a body wall that is inflated and has no spines on the lower surfaces or on the marginal arm plates. On the oral side (the side with the mouth) the tubed sucker feet are usually well hidden within the ambulacral grooves which run down the center of each arm. Usually found on rocky substrates on patch reefs or in the intertidal zone, this beautiful sea star can be found throughout the Gulf of California to northern Peru as well as in the Galapagos Islands.
