Stylasterias

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Stylasterias
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Echinodermata
Class:
Asteroidea
Order:
Forcipulatida
Family:
Asteriidae
Genus:
Stylasterias

Verrill, 1914 [1]
Species:
S. forreri
Binomial name
Stylasterias forreri
(deLoriol, 1887) [2]
Synonyms
  • Asterias forcipulata Verrill, 1909
  • Asterias forreri de Loriol, 1887
  • Orthasterias forreri (de Loriol, 1888)
  • Orthasterias leptolena Verrill, 1914

Stylasterias is a genus of starfish in the family Asteriidae. Stylasterias forreri, the velcro star, is the only species in the genus. It is found on the Pacific coast of Canada and the United States.

Contents

Description

The velcro star is a large starfish, growing to a maximum diameter of 100 cm (39 in), but is usually considerably smaller. The central disc is small and the five (occasionally six) arms are long and tapering. Rows of large spines run down the arms, each one surrounded by a ring of 30-40 pedicellariae, tiny pincer-like structures. Between the spines are tufts of pale gills. This starfish gets its common name because the surface seems sticky to the touch. The stickiness is caused by the pedicellariae gripping the skin, and any attempt to push it off results in further pedicellariae becoming aroused. The colour of the velcro star is some shade of grey or black, or occasionally beige. [3]

Distribution

The velcro star occurs on the Pacific coast of North America, from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Southern California. It is found at depths to about 530 m (1,740 ft). It is generally uncommon and mostly occurs in deep water at the head of fiords. [3]

Biology

The velcro star feeds on invertebrates such as gastropod molluscs and chitons. When alert to movement in the water nearby, the rings of pedicellariae are extended, ready for action. If anything touches its aboral (upper) surface, the starfish reacts by snapping shut the pedicellariae in the vicinity of the stimulus. By this means it can catch prey items such as small fish. [3] The victim is passed to the mouth by movements of the arms and by actions of the tube feet. The velcro star can also defend itself against attack by predators such as the voracious morning sun star (Solaster dawsoni). [3] To fight back, it coils its arms around the attacker and inflicts thousands of nips with its pedicellariae. The attacker often retreats and the velcro star escapes. [3]

Related Research Articles

Starfish Class of echinoderms, marine animal

Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or basket stars. Starfish are also known as Asteroids due to being in the class Asteroidea. About 1,500 species of starfish occur on the seabed in all the world's oceans, from the tropics to frigid polar waters. They are found from the intertidal zone down to abyssal depths, 6,000 m (20,000 ft) below the surface.

Valvatida Order of starfishes

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Echinasteridae Family of starfishes

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<i>Astropecten polyacanthus</i> Species of starfish

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Brisingida Order of starfishes

The Brisingids are deep-sea-dwelling starfish in the order Brisingida.

<i>Luidia magnifica</i> Species of starfish

Luidia magnifica, the magnificent star, is a species of starfish in the family Luidiidae. It is found in the Pacific Ocean.

<i>Leptasterias hexactis</i> Species of starfish

Leptasterias hexactis is a species of starfish in the family Asteriidae, commonly known as the six-rayed star. It is found in the intertidal zone of the western seaboard of the United States. It is a predator and is unusual among starfish in that it broods its eggs and young.

<i>Solaster dawsoni</i> Species of starfish

Solaster dawsoni, the morning sun star, is a species of starfish in the family Solasteridae. It is found on either side of the northern Pacific Ocean. It has two subspecies:

<i>Archaster typicus</i> Species of starfish

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<i>Asterias forbesi</i> Species of starfish

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<i>Evasterias troschelii</i> Species of starfish

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<i>Orthasterias</i> Genus of starfishes

Orthasterias is a genus of sea stars in the family Asteriidae. Orthasterias koehleri, the rainbow star or red-banded sea star, is the only species in the genus. It is found in the North Pacific Ocean.

<i>Pteraster tesselatus</i> Species of starfish

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Sand star Species of starfish

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<i>Echinaster spinulosus</i> Species of starfish

Echinaster spinulosus, the small spine sea star, is a species of sea star found in shallow parts of the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

<i>Luidia quinaria</i> Species of starfish

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Poraniidae Family of starfishes

Poraniidae is a family of starfishes in the order Valvatida.

<i>Freyella elegans</i> Species of starfish

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References

  1. ↑ Mah, C., Hansson, H. (2012). Mah CL (ed.). "Stylasterias Verrill, 1914". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  2. ↑ Mah, Christopher (2012). Mah CL (ed.). "Stylasterias forreri (deLoriol, 1887)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Velcro star: Stylasterias forreri". Sea stars of the Pacific Northwest. 2011. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
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