Wrinkled slime star
VU

Wrinkled slime star

Pteraster militaris

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteraster_militaris

Overview

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

The wrinkled slime star faces mounting pressure from bottom trawling fisheries that physically damage or destroy individuals and their seafloor habitats. Ocean acidification poses an additional threat by weakening the calcium carbonate structures in their skeletal plates, making them more vulnerable to predation and environmental stress. Climate-driven changes in deep-sea temperatures and currents may also disrupt the delicate ecosystem balance these echinoderms depend upon for feeding and reproduction.

Threat summary

Habitat

The wrinkled slime star inhabits cold, deep marine waters typically found on continental shelves and slopes at depths ranging from 50 to 1,200 meters. It prefers soft sediment substrates including mud and sandy bottoms where it can feed on organic matter and small invertebrates.

MARINE· major

Threatened in Antarctica

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Champsocephalus esox

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Wrinkled slime star classified as Vulnerable?
Wrinkled slime star is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The wrinkled slime star faces mounting pressure from bottom trawling fisheries that physically damage or destroy individuals and their seafloor habitats. Ocean acidification poses an additional threat by weakening the calcium carbonate structures in their skeletal plates, making them more vulnerable to predation and environmental stress. Climate-driven changes in deep-sea temperatures and currents may also disrupt the delicate ecosystem balance these echinoderms depend upon for feeding and reproduction.
Where does Wrinkled slime star live?
Wrinkled slime star occurs in Antarctica, Canada, Congo - Kinshasa, Denmark, Faroe Islands, and Greenland (plus 11 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 Wrinkled slime star?
The main threats to Wrinkled slime star 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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