Euretaster insignis
Euretaster insignis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Asteroidea |
Order: | Velatida |
Family: | Pterasteridae |
Genus: | Euretaster |
Species: | E. insignis
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Binomial name | |
Euretaster insignis | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Euretaster insignis, commonly known as the striking sea star,[3] is a species of starfish in the family Pterasteridae found in the central west Pacific Ocean. It is one of only three species in the order Velatida to be found in shallow water in the tropics. The young are brooded in a cavity underneath a "supradorsal" membrane.
Taxonomy and evolution
This starfish was first
The order Velatida are presumed to be the earliest lineage of living sea stars to diverge from the ancestral line, their closest living relatives being the abyssal
Description
This small starfish is star-shaped and has five stubby arms. The aboral (upper) surface has an inflated appearance due to it being covered by a "supradorsal" membrane; this is supported by bundles of spinelets borne on the flat plates that are arranged in a mosaic pattern on the cuticle below. This membrane encloses a supradorsal cavity filled with sea water, which is connected to the water column by a central osculum (aperture), which opens and closes periodically.[6] The membrane has a reticulated pattern of ridges and small conical protrusions. It is patterned in some combination of red, white and brown.[5]
Distribution and habitat
Euretaster insignis is native to the tropical western central Pacific Ocean from the intertidal zone down to about 132 m (430 ft). It is found on coral reefs, rocky coasts,[3] sand and muddy rubble.[6]
Ecology
The sexes are separate in Euretaster insignis. Instead of being
References
- ^ .
- ^ Mah, Christopher (2018). Mah CL (ed.). "Retaster insignis Sladen, 1882". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Euretaster insignis (Sladen, 1882)". SeaLifeBase. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ Fisher, Walter K. (1940). "Asteroidea". Discovery Reports. 20: 69–306, 198. BHL page 5610160.
- ^ a b c d Rowlett, Joe (18 May 2015). "The rarely seen Striking Sea Star". Reef Builders. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-4863-0763-0.