Choriaster Explained

Choriaster is monotypic genus in the family Oreasteridae containing the single species Choriaster granulatus commonly known as the granulated sea star. Other common names include big-plated sea star, Hunter-five Seastar and doughboy starfish.[1] This species is harmless to humans.

Description

Choriaster granulatus is a large sea star with a convex body and five short arms. The arms have rounded tips, making it appear "phallic", leading to one of its common names being "the doughboy starfish". Relatively large in comparison with other sea stars, its maximum radius is about 27cm (11inches). It is most commonly pale pink in colour with brown papillae radiating out from the centre but can also be colours ranging from grey to yellow and even red.[2] [3]

Location

This species is found in numerous tropical waters, including:[4]

Habitat

Choriaster granulatus prefers shallow waters ranging from 1.5to deep and above average temperatures of 24C29C.[6] Choriaster granulatus has been found individually or in groups along coral reefs in the Indo-West Pacific region.[7] It has also been found in the Red Sea, Fiji, and Great Barrier Reef.[8] The sandy habitat where it tends to live is characterized by rubble slopes and detritus. They have also been found among corals and sponges.[9]

Diet

Choriaster granulatus is a carnivore that, like other sea stars, has its mouth on the underside of its body. Food is digested and absorbed outside of its body by forcing its stomach out of its mouth onto the food.[10] Its food includes small invertebrates such as coral polyps as well as carrion.[11]

Life cycle and reproduction

Sea star embryos hatch into planktonic larvae before becoming juvenile sea stars with five arms. The Asteroidea class of organisms reproduce use both asexually and sexually.[12]

Threats

The arms of Choriaster granulatus can become deformed when small parasitic limpets attach to their underside.[13] They are also threatened by habitat loss due to ocean acidification which can lead to coral bleaching. [14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Granulated Sea Star – Whats That Fish!. www.whatsthatfish.com. 2018-03-19.
  2. Web site: Taxonomic. domainsoflife.yolasite.com. 2018-03-19. 2018-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213942/http://domainsoflife.yolasite.com/Granulated-Sea-Star.php. dead.
  3. Host recognition behaviour and its specificity in pontoniine shrimp Zenopontonia soror (Nobili, 1904) (Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae) associated with shallow-water sea stars. 10.1016/j.jembe.2019.151302. 2020. Antokhina. Tatiana I.. Britayev. Temir A.. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 524. 151302. 213212469.
  4. Web site: Marine Fish Picture Gallery – Granulated Seastar picture . 2011-02-19 . 2021-12-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211227112229/http://www.scuba-equipment-usa.com/marine/MAY04/Granulated_Seastar(Choriaster_granulatus).html . dead .
  5. http://www.sealifebase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=86705 Choriaster granulatus, granular sea star
  6. Web site: Granulated Sea Star – Choriaster granulatus – Details – Encyclopedia of Life. Encyclopedia of Life. en. 2018-03-19.
  7. Web site: Taxonomic. domainsoflife.yolasite.com. 2018-03-19. 2018-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213942/http://domainsoflife.yolasite.com/Granulated-Sea-Star.php. dead.
  8. Web site: Taxonomic. domainsoflife.yolasite.com. 2018-03-19. 2018-03-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213942/http://domainsoflife.yolasite.com/Granulated-Sea-Star.php. dead.
  9. Web site: Choriaster granulatus, granular sea star. www.sealifebase.org. en. 2018-03-19.
  10. Web site: The Granulated Sea Star – Whats That Fish!. www.whatsthatfish.com. 2018-03-19.
  11. Web site: Choriaster granulatus, granular sea star. www.sealifebase.org. en. 2018-03-19.
  12. Web site: Choriaster granulatus, granular sea star. www.sealifebase.org. en. 2018-03-19.
  13. Web site: The Granulated Sea Star – Whats That Fish! . www.whatsthatfish.com . 2018-03-19.
  14. The Great Barrier Reef: Vulnerabilities and solutions in the face of ocean acidification . 10.1016/j.rsma.2019.100729 . 2019 . Pendleton . Linwood . Hoegh-Guldberg . Ove . Albright . Rebecca . Kaup . Anne . Marshall . Paul . Marshall . Nadine . Fletcher . Steve . Haraldsson . Gunnar . Hansson . Lina . Regional Studies in Marine Science . 31 . 100729 . 199095368 . free.

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