BIOTIC Species Information for Luidia ciliaris
Researched byMorvan Barnes Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific nameLuidia ciliaris Common nameSeven-armed starfish
MCS CodeZB22 Recent Synonyms
PhylumEchinodermata SubphylumAsterozoa
Superclass ClassAsteroidea
Subclass OrderPaxillosida
Suborder FamilyLuidiidae
GenusLuidia Speciesciliaris
Subspecies   
Additional Information
Taxonomy References Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997,
General Biology
Growth formRadial
Stellate
 Feeding methodPredator
Scavenger
Mobility/MovementCrawler
Burrower
Swimmer
 Environmental positionEpifaunal
Infaunal
Typical food typesEchinoderms, polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans and probably carrion HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityHigh (>45 degrees)
FragilityIntermediate SizeLarge(>50cm)
HeightNot researched Growth RateNot Researched
Adult dispersal potentialNot researched DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
Biology References Brun, 1972, Heddle, 1967, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound on all British coasts except the southern North Sea.
Global distributionPredominantly recorded off the British Isles and Ireland, off the Faroe Isles and in the North Sea but may be found in the Mediterranean and as far south as central west Africa.
Biogeographic rangeTemperate. Depth rangeFrom 4 m to 400 m depth.
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferencesCoarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Muddy sand
Gravelley sand
 Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Offshore seabed
Biological zoneLower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore
Bathybenthic (Bathyal)
 Wave exposureField unresearched
Tidal stream strength/Water flowField unresearched
 SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Mortensen, 1927, NBN, 2002, Bruce et al., 1963, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
 Developmental mechanismNot researched
Reproductive SeasonNot researched Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potential Yes
Life span3-5 years Age at reproductive maturity1 year
Generation timeNot researched FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeExternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialNot researched Larval settlement periodNot researched
Duration of larval stageNot researched   
Reproduction Preferences Additional Information
Reproduction References Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
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