Pterasteridae Explained

Pterasteridae is a family of sea stars in the order Velatida, consisting of eight genera.

Description and characteristics

Pterasterids are primarily deep-water, and have an inflated aboral surface. Like many other members of the ordo Velatida, they have a hole in the middle of the central disc called "osculum", from which they can expel mucus for defending against predators.^[1]

Many species brood their young in an internal chamber flushed with seawater.

Fossil pterasterids have been found as early as the upper Campanian of the Cretaceous period.^[2]

Genera

According to the World Register of Marine Species :

• Amembranaster Golotsvan, 1998 -- 1 species
• Benthaster Sladen, 1882 -- 3 species
• Calyptraster Sladen, 1882 -- 5 species
• Diplopteraster Verrill, 1880 -- 7 species
• Euretaster Fisher, 1940 -- 3 species
• Hymenaster Thomson, 1873 -- 51 species
• Hymenasterides Fisher, 1911 -- 2 species
• Pteraster Müller & Troschel, 1842 -- 46 species

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pteraster & kin- Starfish that fight back with mucus! . Mah . Christopher L. . 13 September 2010. Echinoblog .
2. Villier. Loïc. Blake, Daniel B. . Jagt, John W. M. . Kutscher, Manfred . A preliminary phylogeny of the Pterasteridae (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) and the first fossil record: Late Cretaceous of Germany and Belgium. Paläontologische Zeitschrift. 2004. 78. 2. 281–299. 10.1007/BF03009226. 2004PalZ...78..281V . 140174051 .