Choriaster granulatus
| Choriaster granulatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Choriaster granulatus in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Valvatida |
| Family: | Oreasteridae |
| Genus: | Choriaster Lütken, 1869 [1] |
| Species: | C. granulatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Choriaster granulatus Lütken, 1869 | |
Choriaster granulatus, commonly known as the granulated sea star, cushion seastar,[2]and doughboy star,[3] is a species of starfish.[4] It is the only species in the genus Choriaster.[1]
Description
Choriaster granulatus is a large seastar, and is easily identified by its five distinctive large, short, thick conical arms. [2] It is usually pale pink in colour, has small, brown papillae in clusters located in the central part of its body. [2] This species grows to a maximum radius of approximately 27 cm.[3]
Location
This species is found in numerous tropical waters, including:[3]
Habitat
Choriaster granulatus lives in shallow waters at depths of up to 40 metres,[5] and is found on rubble slopes, coral reefs,[3] in the reef front, back reef, the external reef, and frequently in locations with rubble and detritus.[2]
Behaviour and diet
This starfish feed on algae, detritus, and dead animals.[2] One of its predators is the sea snail Triton's trumpet (Charonia tritonis).[3] It also eats various small invertebrates and coral polyps.[5]
References
- 1 2 C.L. Mah (2010). "Asteroidea taxon details for Choriaster Lütken, 1869". World Asteroidea Database. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Choriaster granulatus, Cushion star
- 1 2 3 4 5 Marine Fish Picture Gallery - Granulated Seastar picture
- ↑ WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Choriaster granulatus Lütken, 1869
- 1 2 3 Choriaster granulatus, granular sea star
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Choriaster granulatus. |