Cryptasterina pentagona
Cryptasterina pentagona | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Asteroidea |
Order: | Valvatida |
Family: | Asterinidae |
Genus: | Cryptasterina |
Species: | C. pentagona
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Binomial name | |
Cryptasterina pentagona | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Cryptasterina pentagona is a
Description
As its name suggests, Cryptasterina pentagona is pentagonal, with five short rays with rounded tips. The body is covered by an integument and the plates (ossicles) are arranged in a longitudinal series along the rays. There are papulae in a row along the edge of the rays and scattered over the aboral (upper) surface, which is covered by spiky granulations. There are no pedicellariae. The oral (lower) surface is flat while the aboral surface forms a low dome.[3]
Distribution and habitat
Cryptasterina pentagona is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific regions of Indonesia, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Japan and the northeast coast of Queensland, Australia. It occurs in the littoral and shallow neritic zone. Its range in Australia extends from Mission Beach to Airlie Beach. It has been reported further south than Airlie Beach, but this may have been a misidentification where it was mistaken for its close relation Cryptasterina hystera. This, although morphologically very similar, has been shown to be a separate species by examination of molecular data. In Australia, Cryptasterina pentagona can be found on the shore of the upper intertidal zone under rocks.[4]
Biology
The sexes are separate in Cryptasterina pentagona, and it has the typical life cycle of a broadcast
References
- ^ a b Mah, Christopher (2013). Mah CL (ed.). "Cryptasterina pentagona (Muller & Troschel, 1842)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
- ^ Grosberg, Rick; Fell, Andy (2012-07-23). "Superfast evolution in sea stars". UC Davis: News and information. Retrieved 2013-06-02.
- .
- ^ PMID 14672983.