Key Identification Features
- This species typically has six arms, and individuals can come in any color.
- gunnii in southern Australia includes two genetically distinct forms, one in eastern areas and one in western areas, meaning a taxonomic update is needed.
- The cushion sea star, scientifically named Meridiastra calcar, typically has eight short, distinct triangular "arms", though individuals with 7 or 9 arms also occur.
- Two distinct forms of this species have been identified, differing most noticeably in the arrangement of plates along the ray crests.
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