ABSTRACT
The biology and ecology of Australian populations of Cryptasterina along the Queensland coast has been documented in a long series of studies (Dartnall 1971, Ottesen 1976, Gist 1993, Byrne 2005, Lacey 2000, Byrne et al. 2003, Dartnall et al. 2003, Stevens 2005). These studies over 30+ years, involved repeated studies at the same locations, indicating that Cryptasterina populations have been a conspicuous component of intertidal fauna for some time. They occupy the mid to high shore 0.7-2.8 m above chart datum (Stevens 2005). The habitats occupied by C. pentagona are boulder/cobble beaches where wave exposure and persistence of standing water keeps the habitat wet throughout the tidal cycle (Stevens 2005, Dartnall pers obs).
