Biology:Parvulastra exigua
| Parvulastra exigua | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Valvatida |
| Family: | Asterinidae |
| Genus: | Parvulastra |
| Species: | P. exigua
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| Binomial name | |
| Parvulastra exigua (Lamarck, 1816)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Parvulastra exigua, or the dwarf cushion star[2] is a species of sea star in the family Asterinidae.[1] It can be found in temperate intertidal marine communities from geographically widespread sites around the southern hemisphere (including South Africa and Australia ).[2]
Description
Parvulastra exigua has pentagonal body with no obvious protruding arms. Dorsal surface is tiled with a small cluster of spines at each tile. Colour is variegated, with bright patterns in orange, brown, green and white.[2]
Distribution
Parvulastra exigua is found from Namibia to Mozambique on intertidal zones up to 3 m, on St Helena, St Paul, and southeastern Australia.[2]
Natural history
Parvulastra exigua occurs in the intertidal zone and slightly deeper, and is well camouflaged. It feeds on microscopic algae by everting stomach onto substrate. No planktonic larval stage is present.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Parvulastra exigua (Lamarck, 1816)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. 2022. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=459556.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN:978-0-620-41639-9
Wikidata ☰ Q2677618 entry
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