Parvulastra exigua
Species of starfish
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
| Parvulastra exigua | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Valvatida |
| Family: | Asterinidae |
| Genus: | Parvulastra |
| Species: | P. exigua |
| Binomial name | |
| Parvulastra exigua (Lamarck, 1816) | |
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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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]
