Linckia guildingii is found in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil, and around the Caribbean islands. It is also found in Australia (the Great Barrier Reef). Linckia guildingii usually inhabits shallow depths of about 1 meter, but has been found at a depth of over 100 meters. ( Charonia Research, 1997 ; Hendler, 1995 )

Linckia guildingii primarily lives on the hard, flat bottom of coral reefs, but may also be found on slopes and sandy regions. Usually it is hidden, but may be exposed. ( Charonia Research, 1996a ; Hendler, 1995 )

Linckia guildingii has 4-7 cylindrical arms of uneven length (up to 22 cm long). It is comet shaped (a star with a long tail) which is caused by its asexual mode of reproduction. This tail is the longest arm that came from the parent, while the "star" is composed of smaller, regenerated arms. However, this species may have a more symmetrical star shape at a different stage. Coloration changes with maturity. The adult is uniform and characteristically gray. Reddish brown, yellowish brown, tan, or violet adults also occur. Juveniles, however, are mottled white, gray, purple, violet, red or brown. ( Charonia Research, 1997 ; Clark, 1977 ; Hendler, 1995 )

Reproduction

Both sexual and asexual reproduction occur in this species; however, asexual reproduction is the dominant form. Arms voluntarily detach to form a new individual (known as autotomy). The new "daughter" has an identical genetic makeup to the parent.

In sexual reproduction, the sexes are separate. The females release many eggs. They are colorless and about 0.1 mm in diameter. The eggs are negatively buoyant upon leaving the female's gonopores (found on the arms). The development of larva is planktotrophic, meaning the larvae primarily survives by feeding on plankton.

Males have serially arranged gonads, with each arm containing several gonoducts. The gonads are particularly dominant before they spawn. At this time, gametes are released in the water, resulting in external fertilization. Some research has been done on the effect of the hormone 1-methyl adenine. When injected with the hormone, the starfish released their gametes, usually within three hours. The results varied depending on proximity to the natural mating season. For L. guildingii, the peak was in mid-summer in Australia (December). (Charonia Research, 1996b; Charonia Research, 1996c; Hendler, 1995; Meinkoth, 1981)