BIOTIC Species Information for Porania pulvillus
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| Researched by | Morvan Barnes | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Porania pulvillus | Common name | A cushion star | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZB54 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Echinodermata | Subphylum | Asterozoa | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Asteroidea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Valvatida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Poraniidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Porania | Species | pulvillus | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Radial Stellate |
Feeding method | Predator Scavenger Surface deposit feeder |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Epibenthic |
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| Typical food types | The cnidarian Alcynonium digitatum, the brachiopod Crania anomala, ascidians and other invertebrates including carrion | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | Low (10-45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Medium(11-20 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Not Researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Not researched | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Ericsson & Hansson, 1973, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on all British coasts except the southern North Sea. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from the northern North Sea to the Bay of Biscay. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate. | Depth range | From 10 m to 300 m, seldom down to 1000 m depth. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Muddy gravel Sandy mud Mud Gravelly mud |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed |
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| Biological zone | Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral Circalittoral Offshore Bathybenthic (Bathyal) |
Wave exposure | Field unresearched |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Field unresearched |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Not researched |
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| Reproductive Season | Not researched | Reproductive Location | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 6-10 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 1-2 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | Insufficient information | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Gemmill, 1915, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, | ||||||||||||||
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