BIOTIC Species Information for Asterina gibbosa
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| Researched by | Morvan Barnes | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Asterina gibbosa | Common name | A cushion star | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZB59 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Echinodermata | Subphylum | Asterozoa | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Asteroidea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Valvatida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Asterinidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Asterina | Species | gibbosa | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward et al., 1996, Barnes, 1980, Fish & Fish, 1996, Emson & Crump, 1979, Baus et al., 2005, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Stellate Radial |
Feeding method | Omnivore Predator Scavenger |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler |
Environmental position | Epilithic Epibenthic Epifaunal |
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| Typical food types | Benthic invertebrates including crustaceans, molluscs and other echinodermata. | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not researched | Flexibility | Low (10-45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Small-medium(3-10cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | Insufficient information | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Picton, 1993, Mortensen, 1927, Murphy & Jones, 1987, Crump & Emson, 1983, Emson & Crump, 1984, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Common on many British and Irish coasts but sparse in the north-east and not recorded from Lincolnshire around to Hampshire. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in western Europe from Norway and the Shetland Isles south to the Azores and the Mediterranean. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate to warm temperate. | Depth range | Lower shore to 30 m. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Rockpools Under boulders Coarse clean sand Biogenic reef Mixed Crevices / fissures Artificial (e.g. metal/wood/concrete) Gravel / shingle Large to very large boulders Bedrock |
Physiographic preferences | Estuary Strait / sound Enclosed coast / Embayment Offshore seabed Open coast |
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| Biological zone | Lower Infralittoral Upper Infralittoral Sublittoral Fringe Lower Eulittoral Lower Circalittoral Upper Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | Moderately Exposed Exposed |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Insufficient information |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Picton, 1993, Mortensen, 1927, Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996, Baus et al., 2005, Clark & Downey, 1992, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, NBN, 2002, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Self-fertilization Protandrous hermaphrodite |
Developmental mechanism | Lecithotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | late May to early June | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 6-10 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 1-2 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | 100 to 1,000 | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | ca. 0.5 mm | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Eggs take about 20 days to hatch increasing the potential for dispersal. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Mortensen, 1927, Cognetti & Delavault, 1962, Crump & Emson, 1983, Southward & Campbell, 2006, | ||||||||||||||
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