How to assess the absence of a species? A revision of the geographical range of the horned sea star, Protoreaster nodosus (Echinodermata; Asteroidea)

Demonstrating the absence of a species has always been challenge for natural sciences, which are more used to documenting their presence; however, both forms data equal scientific significance. The horned sea star Protoreaster nodosus is said, in literature, be present throughout whole Indo-Pacific region, from eastern Africa Pacific Ocean islands. However, review along with critical bibliographical study, citizen science surveys, web-based pictures analyses, and field studies suggests that presence this could instead restricted western Ocean, Thailand Samoa Japan New Caledonia, no reliable record Indian Ocean. Such huge long-running mistake on very common conspicuous exemplifies importance approach towards distribution data, appears too often based layers reproduction never-reassessed turning hypotheses into commonly shared truth.