Distribution: Relatively common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Known from the tropical Indo-West Pacific region, Sri Lanka to Australia, north to Japan. In Australia recorded from Western Australia across the tropical north, the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland and as far south as Sydney on the east coast.

Ecological Notes: Frequents rubble areas and seagrass beds in shallower waters. Depth range from intertidal to at least 70 m.

Additional Notes: Small and cream coloured, with patches of brown on the spines and shell. Frequently found with rubble or detritus attached by tube feet. Distinguished from the similar Pseudoboletia indiana by darker blotching and lack of purple tips to the primary spines. Grows to at least 70 mm across.

References: Davie, Peter. Wild Guide to Moreton Bay and Adjacent Coasts. Second Edition. Published by Queensland Museum. Vol 2, p.274.

Neville Coleman, Sea Stars. Echinoderms of the Asia/Indo-Pacific. Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd, 2007. p.101.

Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=pseudoboletia+maculata. Accessed 14/10/2018.