Okinawa-Churaumi-Aquarium, Japan
Info
The body disc of Fromia armata is deep red and the five arms have small red net patterns.
Little is known about this starfish, which is small but extremely beautiful and has no English name.
The body disc measures a maximum of 3 cm, the arm length is not documented, nor is its diet, although Fromia armata is probably omnivorous.
Etymology:
The word “armata” comes from the Latin word “armata,” the feminine past participle of “armare,” which means “to arm” or “to equip” and historically referred to “armed men” or “soldiers.”
The term also occurs in Italian, where armata means “army” or “troops,” and in Romanian, where it means “army.”
The name Fromia armata was chosen because this starfish has distinctive, “armed” structures compared to other species of the genus—such as a rough surface or small, spine-like projections that give it an armored appearance.
These features could give it a ‘defensive’ impression, which is why the name “armata” seems appropriate.
Little is known about this starfish, which is small but extremely beautiful and has no English name.
The body disc measures a maximum of 3 cm, the arm length is not documented, nor is its diet, although Fromia armata is probably omnivorous.
Etymology:
The word “armata” comes from the Latin word “armata,” the feminine past participle of “armare,” which means “to arm” or “to equip” and historically referred to “armed men” or “soldiers.”
The term also occurs in Italian, where armata means “army” or “troops,” and in Romanian, where it means “army.”
The name Fromia armata was chosen because this starfish has distinctive, “armed” structures compared to other species of the genus—such as a rough surface or small, spine-like projections that give it an armored appearance.
These features could give it a ‘defensive’ impression, which is why the name “armata” seems appropriate.
