Patiriella
Genus of starfishes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Patiriella is a genus of sea stars of the family Asterinidae. Many species formerly included in this genus have been transferred to other genera (Cryptasterina, Meridiastra, and Parvulastra).[1][2] They are commonly known as carpet sea stars.
| Patiriella | |
|---|---|
| |
| Patiriella littoralis | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Valvatida |
| Family: | Asterinidae |
| Genus: | Patiriella Verrill, 1913 |
| Type species | |
| Asterina regularis Verrill, 1867 | |
| Species | |
|
5 species (see text) | |
The genus is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, primarily around Australia and the south-west Pacific. They occur in shallow waters down to a depth of about 92 m (302 ft).[2]
Description and characteristics
Patiriella are sea stars with five or rarely six rays (arms). The shape ranges from subpentagonal to having short, discrete rays. The interradial margin is straight to incurved. They are medium-sized, with Patiriella regularis reaching a radius of 39 mm (1.5 in). Patiriella regularis can rarely show fissiparity.[2]
Species
There are five recognized species:[1]
- Patiriella inornata Livingstone, 1933
- Patiriella littoralis (Dartnall, 1970)
- Patiriella oliveri (Benham, 1911)
- Patiriella paradoxa Campbell & Rowe, 1997
- Patiriella regularis (Verrill, 1867)
Patiriella littoralis.
Patiriella oliveri.
_dorsal_view.jpg)
_dorsal_view.jpg)
