Thromidia

Thromidia is a genus of starfish in the family Mithrodiidae.

Description and characteristics

These are unusually massive sea stars with five sausage-shaped arms, containing probably the heaviest species of Asteroidea, up to 6 kg.

Species

There are four recognized species according to World Register of Marine Species:

Thromidia brycei Marsh, 2009 – Western Australia
Thromidia catalai Pope & Rowe, 1977 – West Pacific
Thromidia gigas – South-west Indian ocean
Thromidia seychellesensis Pope & Rowe, 1977 – Seychelles