Luidia maculata: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Species of starfish}} |
{{Short description|Species of starfish}} |
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{{Speciesbox |
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| image = Luidia maculata, Ras Sedr, Egypt.jpg |
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| genus = Luidia |
| genus = Luidia |
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| species = maculata |
| species = maculata |
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Revision as of 07:04, 13 November 2021
| Luidia maculata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Paxillosida |
| Family: | Luidiidae |
| Genus: | Luidia |
| Species: | L. maculata
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| Binomial name | |
| Luidia maculata Müller & Troschel, 1842[1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Luidia maculata is a species of starfish in the family Luidiidae in the order Paxillosida. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region.[2]
Description
Luidia maculata is a large starfish, up to 25 cm (10 in) in diameter. There are usually seven or eight (sometimes nine) long, slender, pointed arms and a relatively small central disc. The aboral (upper) surface is flat, with some granulations. Rows of pale-coloured tube feet are just visible on the sides of the arms. There are two different colour forms of this starfish; some individuals are a uniform shade of dark brown or greenish-brown, while others are dark brown with orange-brown chevron-shaped markings, or light brown with dark markings.[2] This starfish could be confused with some other member of the Luidia genus, particularly L. savignyi, but that species is spiny whereas L. maculata is smooth. Another similar species is L. magnifica, but that typically has nine or ten arms.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Luidia maculata is native to the tropical Indian and Pacific Ocean. Its usual habitat is muddy sand on the floor of lagoons, but it may also be found on other soft sediments. Its depth range is from a few metres down to about 35 m (115 ft).[2]
Ecology
Luidia maculata partially buries itself in soft sediment rendering itself difficult to spot. It is a predator, feeding mostly on sea urchins, particularly irregular sand dollars and similar echinoderms which also live buried in sand. Unlike some related species which practice external digestion, it draws its prey inside its mouth to consume. When it emerges from hiding, it often leaves behind inedible fragments of test from its prey in the hollow it vacated.[2]
References
- ^ a b Mah, Christopher (2021). "Luidia maculata Müller & Troschel, 1842". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Mitel, Cédric; Ziemski, Frédéric (5 February 2017). "Luidia maculata Müller & Troschel, 1842" (in French). DORIS. Retrieved 11 November 2021.