Distribution: Uncommon in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Distributed throughout the Western Pacific region including Indonesia and Philippines. In Australia recorded from the North West Shelf region of Western Australia and from the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland to northern New South Wales, and including Lord Howe Island.

Ecological Notes: Frequents shallow water coral and coral rubble habitats. Depth to 151 m.

Additional Notes: Distinctive bare areas between the spines help with identification of this species. The spines are variable in colour, from red to dull brown or green, with bare area usually a bright blue. Typically a tropical species. Grows to about 80 mm.

References: Neville Coleman, Sea Stars. Echinoderms of the Asia/Indo-Pacific. Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd, 2007. pp.98-9.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=Mespilia+globulus. Accessed 11/10/2018.