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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
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[edit]
- ^ a b Mah CL, ed. (2022). "Parvulastra exigua (Lamarck, 1816)". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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