Solaster stimpsoni

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Solaster stimpsoni
Striped Sun Star002.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Solasteridae
Genus: Solaster
Species:
S. stimpsoni
Binomial name
Solaster stimpsoni
Verrill, 1880
Synonyms
  • Asterias decemradiatus Brandt, 1835
  • Crossaster vancouverensis de Loriol, 1897
  • Solaster constellatus Verrill, 1909
  • Solaster decemradiatus (Brandt, 1835)

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[]

Solaster stimpsoni 001.jpg

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.

Distribution[]

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[]

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[]

This starfish feeds on various small sea cucumbers, such as Cucumaria miniata, , Eupentacta quinquesemita, , and Psolus chitonoides. It also eats brachiopods, ascidians, or sea pens.

Predators[]

Solaster stimpsoni is eaten by a close relative, Solaster dawsoni, the morning sunstar.[3]

References[]

  1. ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Solaster stimpsoni Verrill, 1880". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  2. ^ a b Dave Cowles. "Solaster stimpsoni". Wallawalla.edu. Archived from the original on 2012-02-04. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  3. ^ a b Joan Gerteis. "Solaster stimpsoni". Beachwatchers.wsu.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  4. ^ a b "AFSC/RACE - Sun Sea Star, Solaster stimpsoni". Afsc.noaa.gov. 2006-12-06. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  5. ^ a b "Solaster stimpsoni | Marine Biodiversity of British Columbia". Bcbiodiversity.lifedesks.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-02-13.
  6. ^ "The World Asteroidea Database - Solaster stimpsoni Verrill, 1880". Marinespecies.org. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2012-02-13.


Stub icon

This article about a starfish is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

  • v
  • t
Retrieved from ""