Oreasteridae

The Oreasteridae are a family of sea stars in the class Asteroidea.

Description and characteristics
This family contains many species of regular starfishes with usually 5 arms around a stiff, convex and often brightly colored body. Whereas some species are very easy to identify, like the "pincushion seastars" (Culcita sp.), some other can be difficult to tell apart.

Selected genera

 * List source :


 * genus Acheronaster H.E.S. Clark, 1982 -- 1 species
 * genus Anthaster Döderlein, 1915 -- 1 species
 * genus Anthenea Gray, 1840 -- 22 species
 * genus Astrosarkus Mah, 2003 -- 1 species
 * genus Bothriaster Döderlein, 1916 -- 1 species
 * genus Choriaster Lutken, 1869 -- 1 species
 * genus Culcita Agassiz, 1836 -- 3 species
 * genus Goniodiscaster H.L. Clark, 1909 -- 14 species
 * genus Gymnanthenea H.L. Clark, 1938 -- 2 species
 * genus Halityle Fisher, 1913 -- 1 species
 * genus Monachaster Döderlein, 1916 -- 1 species
 * genus Nectriaster H.L. Clark, 1946 -- 1 species
 * genus Nidorellia Gray, 1840 -- 1 species
 * genus Oreaster Müller & Troschel, 1842 -- 2 species
 * genus Pentaceraster Döderlein, 1916 -- 14 species
 * genus Pentaster Döderlein, 1935 -- 2 species
 * genus Poraster Döderlein, 1916 -- 1 species
 * genus Protoreaster Döderlein, 1916 -- 3 species
 * genus Pseudanthenea Döderlein, 1915 -- 1 species
 * genus Pseudoreaster Verrill, 1899 -- 1 species