BIOTIC Species Information for Leptasterias muelleri
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| Researched by | Morvan Barnes | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed. | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Leptasterias muelleri | Common name | Northern starfish | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | ZB102 | Recent Synonyms | Asterias mulleri | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Echinodermata | Subphylum | Asterozoa | ||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Asteroidea | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Order | Forcipulatida | |||||||||||||
| Suborder | Family | Asteriidae | |||||||||||||
| Genus | Leptasterias | Species | muelleri | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Foltz et al., 1996, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Radial Stellate |
Feeding method | Omnivore Scavenger Predator |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Epibenthic |
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| Typical food types | Benthic invertebrates including molluscs, worms and ophiuroids as well as carrion, decaying seaweed and microorganisms. | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not researched | Flexibility | High (>45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Medium(11-20 cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | 1km-10km | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Gregarious | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Clark & Downey, 1992, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Picton, 1993, Southward & Campbell, 2006, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Common around most western British and Irish coasts with few recordings on the east and south coasts of England. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from the Arctic south to northern France. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Boreal to temperate. | Depth range | 0 - 800 m | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Large to very large boulders Under boulders Crevices / fissures Rockpools Mixed |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound Enclosed coast / Embayment Estuary Sealoch |
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| Biological zone | Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral Circalittoral Offshore Bathybenthic (Bathyal) |
Wave exposure | Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Strong (3-6 kn) Moderately Strong (1-3 kn) |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Clark & Downey, 1992, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Direct Development Brooding |
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| Reproductive Season | March to April | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 3-5 years | Age at reproductive maturity | Insufficient information | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Insufficient information | Fecundity | 100 to 1,000 or more | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | 0.8-1.2 mm | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Picton, 1993, Southward & Campbell, 2006, McEdward & Janies, 1993, Britt & Petersen, 1982, McEdward & Miner, 2001, | ||||||||||||||
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