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Pipe-cleaner brittlestar

Asteronyx loveni

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Pipe-cleaner brittlestar faces severe threats from deep-sea fishing activities, particularly bottom trawling, which destroys the delicate coral and sponge gardens where it lives. Climate change-induced ocean acidification threatens to dissolve its calcium carbonate skeleton, while rising sea temperatures may disrupt the cold-water ecosystems it depends on. Its extremely limited distribution in deep Norwegian fjords makes the entire population vulnerable to localized disturbances.

Threat summary

Habitat

This deep-sea brittlestar inhabits cold-water coral reefs and sponge gardens in Norwegian fjords at depths of 150-400 meters. It lives exclusively in association with deep-water corals and large sponges, using its branching arms to filter-feed in the nutrient-rich currents of these pristine deep-water ecosystems.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Australia

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Southern New Guinea Giant Softshell Turtle

Pelochelys bibroni

Unknown
VU

Australian Humpback Dolphin

Sousa sahulensis

Declining
CR

White-bellied Frog

Anstisia alba

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Pipe-cleaner brittlestar classified as Endangered?
Pipe-cleaner brittlestar is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Pipe-cleaner brittlestar faces severe threats from deep-sea fishing activities, particularly bottom trawling, which destroys the delicate coral and sponge gardens where it lives. Climate change-induced ocean acidification threatens to dissolve its calcium carbonate skeleton, while rising sea temperatures may disrupt the cold-water ecosystems it depends on. Its extremely limited distribution in deep Norwegian fjords makes the entire population vulnerable to localized disturbances.
Where does Pipe-cleaner brittlestar live?
Pipe-cleaner brittlestar occurs in Australia, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, and China (plus 42 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pipe-cleaner brittlestar?
The main threats to Pipe-cleaner brittlestar are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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