Solaster stimpsoni
| Solaster stimpsoni | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Valvatida |
| Family: | Solasteridae |
| Genus: | Solaster |
| Species: | S. stimpsoni
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| Binomial name | |
| Solaster stimpsoni Verrill, 1880
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| Synonyms | |
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Solaster stimpsoni, common names Stimpson's sun star, sun star, orange sun star, striped sunstar, and sun sea star, is a species of starfish in the family Solasteridae.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Description[edit]
Solaster stimpsoni is a large species, growing up to 50 cm in diameter. It can have 8 to 12 arms, but usually has 10.[2] The aboral surface has a distinctive reddish orange colour and is covered with thick paxillae. The arms are long, slender, and tapering, each with a dark, purplish-grey contrasting stripe, running from the centre of the body to the tip.[5] They contain no pedicellariae. The underside of the arms have two rows of tube feet. Members of the class Asteroidea exhibit both asexual and sexual means of reproduction. Life cycle: Embryos hatch into planktonic larvae and later metamorphose into pentamerous juveniles which develop into young sea stars with stubby arms.
Distribution[edit]
This species is found in the seas of Japan, and along the western coast of the United States, from central California, to as far north as Alaska.[4]
Habitat[edit]
Solaster stimpsoni usually lives on rocky surfaces in the subtidal, and occasionally the low inter-tidal zones, at depths from 0 to 610 meters.
Diet[edit]
This starfish feeds on various small sea cucumbers, such as Cucumaria miniata, Cucumaria curata, Eupentacta quinquesemita, Eupentacta pseudoquinquesemita, and Psolus chitonoides. It also eats brachiopods, ascidians, or sea pens.
Predators[edit]
Solaster stimpsoni is eaten by a close relative, Solaster dawsoni, the morning sunstar.[3]
References[edit]
https://www.sealifebase.ca/summary/Solaster-stimpsoni.html
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Solaster stimpsoni Verrill, 1880". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ a b Dave Cowles. "Solaster stimpsoni". Wallawalla.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ a b Joan Gerteis. "Solaster stimpsoni". Beachwatchers.wsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ a b "AFSC/RACE - Sun Sea Star, Solaster stimpsoni". Afsc.noaa.gov. 2006-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ a b "Solaster stimpsoni | Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia". Bcbiodiversity.lifedesks.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
- ^ "The World Asteroidea Database - Solaster stimpsoni Verrill, 1880". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
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