Flatened sea star (Astropecten duplicatus) is found from the Carolinas south around Florida into the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. This species can be found from shallow water to depths over 1500 feet. It is usually found on sandy or silty bottom.

Some well respected taxonomists ignore the order level in starfish taxonomy and jump from the class level directly to family.

Starfish class (Class Asteroidea) is easily recognized by having five (more or less) large thick legs that radiate from a central body.

Starfish group (Phylum Echinoderma) contains some diverse marine creatures. Echinoderms generally have radial symmetry. Some well-known examples of Echinoderms are starfish and sea urchins. There are about 6,000 extant species of Echinoderms (and many additional fossil species). The following classes are contained in this phylum:

Echinodea: - Sea Urchins - (900 species)
Asteroidea: - Starfish - (1,600 species)
Holothurioidea: - Sea Cucumbers - (900 species)
Ophiuroidea: - Brittle Stars - (2,000 species)
Crinoidea: - Feather Stars and Sea Lilies - (600 species)

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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