Seastars lack a brain and also do not possess well-defined sensory network. However, they are sensitive to touch, light, the water that surrounds them, and orientation. The pedicellariae of the sea star aid in touch sensation as they function to free the organism of any sediments. The tube feet function as chemoreceptors and are used by the sea star to locate food.
Communication Channels: tactile ; chemical
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Individuals have been observed in shallow, multileveled areas in upper zones of sunny reefs and reef fringes in water temperatures from 22 to 26 degrees degrees Celsius. The blue sea star is extremely sensitive to changes in temperature, oxygen level, and pH.
Range elevation: N/A (high) m.
Range depth: 60 to <1 m.
Habitat Regions: tropical ; saltwater or marine
Aquatic Biomes: reef
Linckia laevigata inhabits the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from the western Indian Ocean to southeastern Polynesia.
Biogeographic Regions: oriental ; australian ; indian ocean; pacific ocean
Linckia laevigata, like other seastars, are opportunistic predators and scavengers. They invert their stomachs and begin to digest their food externally. Food items include dead animals, small invertebrates, and detritus.
Animal Foods: aquatic or marine worms; other marine invertebrates
Plant Foods: algae
Other Foods: detritus
Primary Diet: carnivore (Eats other marine invertebrates, Scavenger ); omnivore ; detritivore
The blue sea star is mainly a scavenger, breaking down tissues of dead animals. Linckia laevigata is an obligate host for the limpet Thyca crystallina, which feeds on the hemolymph of the sea star. The shrimp Periclimenes soror, is also parasitic on L. laevigata.
Ecosystem Impact: biodegradation
Commensal/Parasitic Species:
Blue sea stars are used for decoration and for personal aesthetics (personal aquariums and decorations when they are dried out). They are popular among tourists and in the aquatic life industry. The blue seastar is also being tested as an inexpensive source of potential anti-tumor and antibacterial agents.
Positive Impacts: pet trade ; source of medicine or drug
There are no known adverse effects of L. laevigata on humans.
Fertilized Linckia laevigata eggs become larvae after a couple of days. The larvae spend about 28-30 days in the water column before settling onto a hard surface on the reef and metamorphosing into a tiny version of the adult star. The juvenile-to-adult transformation is estimated to take place at about 2 years of age. At this point, they are considered “mini adults” and continue to grow until reaching a length of about 30 centimeters.
Development - Life Cycle: metamorphosis
This species is not listed under any conservation programs.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
State of Michigan List: no special status
The blue seastar is known to live as long as 10 years in the wild. The mortality rate is high in captivity because this species requires precise conditions and attention to acclimation.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 10 (high) years.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 10 (high) years.
Linckia laevigata is characterized by five cylindrical arms with a bright blue or light blue body color and yellow tube feet. Green, pink, and yellow colors have also been observed. Individuals can grow up to 30 to 40 centimeters across. These animals get their color from a blue pigment called linckiacyanin and some accessory yellow carotenoids. The starfish colors vary, depending on the exact ratio and combination of pigments in each individual.
Range mass: 11 to 16 g.
Range length: 30 (high) cm.
Other Physical Features: ectothermic ; heterothermic ; radial symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
The blue coloring of L. laevigata may warn potential predators of toxicity. Like other seastars, the blue seastar can use autonomy, or self-severance of a limb, to escape predation. Body parts lost to predators are regenerated.
Known Predators:
Though the sexes appear indistinguishable when observing this animal externally, the differences can be determined by observing the gonads or by examining the act of spawning when the male and female can be distinguished more readily. During the mating process, gametes are released freely into the water above the animals. Seastars gather in groups when they are prepared to mate to increase the probability of fertilization. If a male and female release gametes in close proximity, the eggs are fertilized. Mating generally occurs in the summer.
Mating System: polygynandrous (promiscuous)
Linckia laevigata spawns between May and August. This species may have a very low level of recruitment. One intensive study found only 10 offspring in one year class. Blue starfish also undergo asexual reproduction, which is the predominant form of reproduction in captivity. During asexual reproduction, the blue starfish divide through their disc, producing clones with identical genetic makeup.
Breeding interval: The blue sea star usually spawns once a year.
Breeding season: The blue sea star usually spawns from May to August.
Range gestation period: 28 to 30 days.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2 (high) years.
Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2 (high) years.
Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; sexual ; asexual ; fertilization (External ); broadcast (group) spawning
No parental investment is provided after gametes are released.
Parental Investment: pre-fertilization (Provisioning)
Der Blaue Seestern (Linckia laevigata) lebt im tropischen Indopazifik, von Ostafrika bis nach Japan, Hawaii und den Inseln des südlichen Pazifik.
Blaue Seesterne haben einen kleinen Körper und lange, dicke, im Querschnitt runde Arme. Die 30 bis 40 Zentimeter im Durchmesser erreichenden Alttiere sind meist leuchtend blau gefärbt. In größeren Tiefen bis 60 Metern lebende Tiere sind grau, khakifarben, gelb oder rosa. Juvenile Tiere unter 5 Zentimeter Armlänge haben meist noch eine schlichtere blaugrüne Färbung. Die Saugfüße der Alttiere sind gelb, die der Jungen hellgelb. Gewöhnlich haben Blaue Seesterne fünf Arme, da sie sich aber oft ungeschlechtlich durch Teilung vermehren, sieht man auch Exemplare mit weniger Armen und mit unterschiedlichen Armlängen.
Erwachsene Blaue Seesterne leben tagaktiv vor allem in den vom Sonnenlicht durchdrungenen Bereichen der Korallenriffe bis in 20 Meter Tiefe. Jungtiere leben versteckt im Riff. Blaue Seesterne ernähren sich von Detritus, Algen und wirbellosen Kleintieren. Neben der schon erwähnten ungeschlechtlichen Vermehrung pflanzen sich die Stachelhäuter durch die Abgabe der Gameten ins Wasser geschlechtlich fort. An der Unterseite der Tiere findet man oft die farblich angepasste parasitische Schnecke Thyca crystallina (Familie Eulimidae), die sich mit ihrem Saugrüssel von Gewebe und Körperflüssigkeit des Wirtes ernährt.
Blaue Seesterne werden oft für die Aquarienhaltung gefangen und importiert. Die meisten Exemplare sterben allerdings nach einigen Monaten. Wahrscheinlich verhungern sie, da sie nicht genug Futter finden und das angebotene Ersatzfutter nicht angenommen wird.
Der Blaue Seestern (Linckia laevigata) lebt im tropischen Indopazifik, von Ostafrika bis nach Japan, Hawaii und den Inseln des südlichen Pazifik.
Linckia laevigata (sometimes called the "blue Linckia" or blue star) is a species of sea star in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific.
The variation ("polymorphism", in this case, a "color morph") most commonly found is pure blue, dark blue, or light blue, although observers find the aqua, purple, or orange variation throughout the ocean. These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter, with rounded tips at each of the arms; some individuals may bear lighter or darker spots along each of their arms. Individual specimens are typically firm in texture, possessing the slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other members of the family Ophidiasteridae, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet. An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and is typically found in sparse density throughout its range. Blue stars live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata and move relatively slowly (mean locomotion rate of 8.1 cm/min).[1]
The genus Linckia, as is true of other species of starfish, is recognized by scientists as being possessed of remarkable regenerative capabilities, and endowed with powers of defensive autotomy against predators: Although not yet documented, L. laevigata may be able to reproduce asexually, as does the related species Linckia multifora (another denizen of tropical seas, but of differing coloration, i.e., pink or reddish mottled with white and yellow, which has been observed reproducing asexually in captivity).[2] Linckia multifora produces 'comets', or separated arms, from the mother individual; these offspring proceed to grow four tiny stubs of arms ready for growth to maturity. L. laevigata is apparently not an exception to this behavior, as many individuals observed in nature are missing arms or, on occasion, in the comet form.
Some species of other reef inhabitants prey on this species of sea star. Various pufferfishes, Charonia species (triton shells), harlequin shrimp, and even some sea anemones have been observed to eat whole or parts of the sea stars.[3] The Blue Linckia is also prone to parasitization by a species of the parasitic gastropod Thyca crystallina. Commensal associations sometimes play part on this echinoderm's life; animals such as Periclimenes shrimp are sometimes found commensally on the oral or aboral surface of the animal, picking up mucus and detritus.
This sea star is fairly popular with marine aquarium hobbyists, where it requires a proper, slow acclimatization before entering the tank system, and an adequate food source similar to that found in its natural habitat. Generally thought of as a detritivore, many sources maintain that this species will indefinitely graze throughout the aquarium for organic films or sedentary, low-growing organisms such as sponges and algae. In the marine aquarium hobby, they have been seen to consume Asterina Starfish,[4] which are commonly introduced into such aquaria on the ubiquitous "live rock" used in such settings. In 2021 pictures surfaced on Reddit of a linckia eating an Asternia it takes roughly 45 mins to fully devour the starfish. It's a worthy pest control depending on how abundant the food source is, as well as such factors as the conditions of shipping, acclimatization, and water quality, this species has been kept in captivity with variable success. This species has yet to be bred in captivity for sustainable harvest.
This species has long been a staple of the sea-shell trade, which involves marketing dried sea star tests (skeletons) for curios or decoration. Some regions of their habitat have seen significant population decrease due to the continuous harvesting by the sea-shell and tourism industries.
In Tonga
In Aguirangan Island, Philippines
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In Bali
In some places non-blue color morphs can be frequent, such as pink (here in Mayotte)
4-armed specimen
Thick blue starfish at Wakatobi National Park, 2017
Linckia laevigata (sometimes called the "blue Linckia" or blue star) is a species of sea star in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific.
La estrella de mar azul (Linckia laevigata) es una especie de estrella de mar de la familia Ophidiasteridae en el orden de los valvátidos.
Tiene cinco brazos cilíndricos con las puntas redondeadas y puede ser de color azul, gris, rosa, beige o púrpura.[1] Los animales obtienen su color de un pigmento azul llamado linckiacianina y algunos carotenoides amarillos. Dependiendo de la proporción exacta y la combinación de los pigmentos en la estrella, los colores pueden variar.
Se desplazan gracias a la actividad de los miles de podios de la superficie oral, permaneciendo los brazos de la estrella de mar más o menos estáticos respecto al disco central. El movimiento en la mayoría de casos es un deslizamiento suave y lento.
Puede alcanzar un diámetro de 40 cm.
La estrella de mar azul se defiende químicamente de los peces depredadores por medio de compuestos químicos llamados saponinas de defensa.
Especie béntica asociada a arrecifes. Entre 0 y 60 m de profundidad.
la estrella de mar azul Se distribuyen en las aguas tropicales del Índico y Pacífico, desde las costas de África oriental hasta las islas Hawái.[2]
Algas filamentosas, detritos, micro-organismos presentes en la arena y la roca viva.
No presenta dimorfismo sexual. Se reproduce tanto sexual como asexualmente.
Generan gametos libremente en el agua por encima de ellos. Si un macho y hembra desovan en las proximidades el uno del otro, los huevos fecundados se desarrollan en larvas que se alimentan en un par de días. Estas larvas pasan cerca de 28-30 días en la columna de agua antes de asentarse sobre una superficie dura en el arrecife y hacer la metamorfosis en una versión pequeña de la estrella adulta.[3]
Esta especie se caracteriza por su gran capacidad de regeneración: a partir de un trozo puede llegar a regenerarse espontáneamente un individuo completo.
Es una especie delicada y difícil de mantener en cautividad, tan sólo para acuaristas avanzados. La aclimatación debe ser muy lenta mediante el sistema de goteo.
No es totalmente compatible con acuarios de arrecife, ya que puede comer los pólipos de algunos corales.
La estrella de mar azul (Linckia laevigata) es una especie de estrella de mar de la familia Ophidiasteridae en el orden de los valvátidos.
Étoile de mer bleue, Comète de mer bleue
Linckia laevigata est une espèce d'étoiles de mer tropicale de la famille des Ophidiasteridae, caractérisée par ses longs bras et sa couleur bleu vif.
C'est une étoile régulière aux bras allongés, de section arrondie et de diamètre presque constant, avec un disque central très réduit. Elle mesure 20 à 30 cm de diamètre[2] voire jusqu'à 40 centimètres[3]. La coloration générale est généralement d'un bleu cobalt vif plus ou moins teinté de pois légèrement plus sombres, mais peut dans certains cas tirer vers le violet ou le brun clair, voire le rose. les juvéniles peuvent porter des taches plus sombres. Au toucher, le tégument est rugueux. Ces étoiles portent un unique madréporite. Sur la face orale, les sillons ambulacraires sont bien visibles au centre de chaque bras, et protégés de chaque côté par une rangée de petits tubercules en boutons arrondis. Les bras sont fins et cylindriques, et leur pointe arrondie est souvent redressée. Certains spécimens ont parfois plus ou moins de 5 bras, du fait de la prédation et de la défense par autotomie ; des étoiles à 4 ou 6 bras sont ainsi fréquentes. Pour les mêmes raisons, les bras peuvent être de longueurs inégales[4].
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Dans certains endroits, cette étoile peut être rose (ici à Mayotte)
Spécimen à 4 bras.
Cette étoile est très commune dans tout le bassin Indo-Pacifique tropical[5].
On la rencontre sur les fonds rocheux ou dans les récifs de corail, entre la surface et une trentaine de mètres de fond[4] (parfois jusqu'à 60 m[5]), mais plus souvent à faible profondeur.
La reproduction est gonochorique, et mâles et femelles relâchent probablement leurs gamètes en même temps grâce à un signal phéromonal, en pleine eau, où œufs puis larves vont évoluer parmi le plancton pendant quelques semaines avant de rejoindre le sol. Une larve se métamorphosant en juvénile va mettre en moyenne 3 ans à atteindre la maturité, ce qui en fait une étoile à la croissance très lente[6].
Ces étoiles ont cependant aussi accès à un mode de reproduction asexué[7] : ces étoiles sont connues pour leur remarquable capacité régénératrices, leur permettant de se défendre contre leurs prédateurs par autotomie. Ainsi, à partir d'un seul bras, l'étoile peut se régénérer complètement[8],[9].
Ces étoiles ont un régime microphage relativement omnivore à tendance herbivore[6], à base d'algues filamenteuses, de détritus, et de débris organiques[3]. Elles deviennent donc plus abondantes après les blooms algals ou les événements biologiques favorables au développement de micro-algues, comme les invasions d'Acanthaster planci[6].
Certains petits animaux comme la crevette nettoyeuse Periclimenes soror vivent parfois en symbiose avec cette étoile[3]. D'autres animaux sont des commensaux sans effet bénéfique sur l'étoile, voire des parasites comme les gastéropodes Thyca crystallina (famille des Eulimidae), qui vivent accrochés sur le tégument de la face orale de cette étoile[10], ou le ver polychète Asterophilia culcitae[6].
Elle peut être la proie de nombreux prédateurs, comme la crevette arlequin dévoreuse d'étoiles Hymenocera picta. En cas d'agression, elle abandonnera facilement un bras pour se sauver.
Cette étoile est très visible, arborant un bleu vif et ne cherchant pas beaucoup à se dissimuler. Considérée comme un bel animal, elle est ainsi souvent prisée des plongeurs et des photographes sous-marins. Malheureusement, ce succès lui coûte : elle est l'étoile de mer la plus braconnée pour le commerce en aquariophilie (elle représente à elle seule 3 % du commerce mondial pour les aquariums), et est aussi souvent récoltée pour être momifiée et vendue comme souvenir à des touristes, éventuellement teinte (elle perd sa belle couleur naturelle en séchant), ce qui met sa population en danger, d'autant plus que son cycle de vie lent ne permet pas une exploitation commerciale durable[6].
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Étoile de mer bleue, Comète de mer bleue
Linckia laevigata est une espèce d'étoiles de mer tropicale de la famille des Ophidiasteridae, caractérisée par ses longs bras et sa couleur bleu vif.
Linckia laevigata è una stella marina della famiglia Ophidiasteridae.
Corpo di colore blu, generalmente uniforme, scuro o chiaro, anche se si può trovare la variante viola, arancione, grigia o rosa. Alcune di esse possono eventualmente recare macchie chiare o più scure lungo ciascuna delle braccia. Queste stelle marine possono crescere fino a raggiungere i 30 cm di diametro, e ciascun braccio presenta una struttura tubolare, che anziché assottigliarsi verso la punta, mantiene più o meno lo stesso diametro fino alla tonda estremità. Le braccia sono lunghe, comunemente alla maggior parte degli Ophidiasteridae, e solitamente sono fornite di brevi piedini tubolari giallastri.
Il genere Linckia è noto per il notevole potere rigenerante, capace di autotomia difensiva contro i predatori. Si possono riprodurre asessualmente: una simile stella tropicale, conosciuta come multifora Linckia (rosa o rosso screziato di bianco e giallo) può produrre 'comete' o braccia separate dalla 'stella madre', in tutto e per tutto individuali, pronte per la crescita fino alla maturità. La Linckia laevigata non fa eccezione: molti individui osservati in natura avevano perso dei 'bracci', o erano talvolta in forma di 'cometa'. Alcune delle altre specie di abitanti del reef si cibano di questa specie di stella marina. Pesci palla, gamberi arlecchino e persino alcuni anemoni di mare sono stati osservati a mangiare la totalità o una parte della laevigata, che è anche soggetta a parassitizzazione da una specie di gasteropode parassita (Thyca crystallina).
Abitante delle barriere coralline e dei letti dell'erba del mare, questa specie è relativamente comune e si trova in densità variabile. Vivono sia su fine sabbia che in substrati duri. È molto conosciuta anche nell'ambito dell'acquariofilia marina, benché non sia di facilissimo allevamento. Ha bisogno di un corretto, lento ambientamento prima di entrare nel sistema del serbatoio, e molti esemplari muoiono a causa di un processo di acclimatazione improprio o di malnutrizione. Generalmente visto come un detritivoro, molte fonti dicono che questa specie pascola in maniera indefinita per tutto l'acquario alla ricerca di film organici o sedentari, organismi a crescita bassa come spugne e alghe. Questa specie deve ancora essere allevata in cattività per prelievo sostenibile.
Fascia tropicale, nell'Indo-Pacifico, da 0 a 60 metri. Costa orientale dell'Africa, isole Hawaii. Reperibile anche nelle isole Marshall, isole Gilbert, Guam, isole Salomone, Nuova Caledonia, Maldive, Golfo del Bengala, Filippine, Cina, Giappone.
Linckia laevigata è una stella marina della famiglia Ophidiasteridae.
Linckia laevigata est species stellae marinae familiae ophidiasteridarum.
Haec stipula ad Echinodermatum spectat. Amplifica, si potes! Linckia laevigata est species stellae marinae familiae ophidiasteridarum.
Linckia laevigata is een zeester uit de familie Ophidiasteridae.
De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd als Asterias laevigata in 1758 gepubliceerd door Carl Linnaeus.[1] De soort komt voor in de Indische en Grote Oceaan en kan een spanwijdte tot 30 cm bereiken.
Linckia Laevigata (popularmente conhecida como estrela-do-mar-azul) é uma espécie de estrela do mar (classe Asteroidea) da ordem Valvatida.
Ela habita nas águas rasas da tropical do Indo-Pacífico, geralmente em recifes de coral, não é uma espécie muito rara.[1][2][3]
Linckia Laevigata (popularmente conhecida como estrela-do-mar-azul) é uma espécie de estrela do mar (classe Asteroidea) da ordem Valvatida.
Linckia laevigata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Линкия[1] (лат. Linckia laevigata) — вид морских звёзд из семейства офидиастерид (Ophidiasteridae)[2]. Впервые описан в 1758 году шведским систематиком Карлом Линнеем[3].
Обитает в водах от западной части Индийского океана до юго-восточной Полинезии в Тихом океане[4].
Иглокожее синего или светло-голубого цвета (пигмент линкиацианин). Тело имеет пять лучей с заострёнными концами. Вырастает до 30—40 см в диаметре[2][4] (в условиях неволи — около 30 см[5]).
Обитает в основном на мелководье, встречается также на глубине до 50 м. Предпочитает жить поодиночке, ведя преимущественно ночной образ жизни[2].
Раздельнополое животное, хотя может размножаться и как гермафродит, особенно в неволе. Половой диморфизм выражен слабо. Нерест(?) проходит раз в год, в мае—августе. В дикой природе живёт долго — до 10 лет, в неволе же смертность высока, главным образом из-за привередливости Linckia laevigata к климатическим условиям[4].
Обладает высокой чувствительностью к изменениям окружающей среды (освещённость, температура воды) и к прикосновению. Всеядно: питается мёртвыми животными, мелкими беспозвоночными, детритом, морскими водорослями[4].
Синяя окраска призвана предупреждать потенциальных врагов о токсичности животного. В случае утраты части тела Linckia laevigata способна восстанавливать утраченный луч[4]. На животном паразитируют Astroxynus culcitae, Stellicola flexilis, Stellicola illgi, Stellicola novaecaledoniae, Stellicola pollex, Stellicola semperi, Stellicola caeruleus[6].
Linckia laevigata изображалась на марках Уоллиса и Футуны[6].
Может содержаться в домашних аквариумах[5][7], хотя условия неволи переносит очень тяжело, редко доживая до двух лет[8]. Проводятся испытания по использованию Linckia laevigata в качестве источника для недорогих противоопухолевых и противомикробных препаратов[4].
Синонимичные названия[6]:
Линкия (лат. Linckia laevigata) — вид морских звёзд из семейства офидиастерид (Ophidiasteridae). Впервые описан в 1758 году шведским систематиком Карлом Линнеем.
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