Henricia leviuscula, commonly called the Pacific blood star, it is a species of sea star found along the Pacific coast of North America.
They can usually be identified by their bright orange-red color, but there can also be many variations from tan to almost purple. The disk can be a mottled gray color. There can also be a saddle-like marking of lilac blotches between the rays, but the rays are not mottled.[1] They commonly have 5 rays (occasionally 4–6). The rays are smooth and appear smooth due to the lack of pedicellariae and spines. The species is relatively small; the diameter is usually over 8 cm and rarely gets larger than 12 cm.[2] As with all seastars the blood star has a madreporite which can be seen in the image below.
Sexes are dioecious and females are not known to brood young.[3] This statement is in conflict with other sources that state that smaller females brood their young and larger females discharge eggs directly in the water and do not brood them.[4] This is one reason that is leading biologists to believe this is a species complex.[5] Embryonic stages do not adhere to one another but float freely. Post-hatching larvae are ciliated and swim. Spawned eggs have been measured at 1342 μm diameter.[6]
In a study comparing seastar righting behavior the Henricia leviuscula twisted arms 1 and 3 toward each other, used arms 4 and 5 to support itself on the bottom of the tank, and moved arm 2 up so it was in a sitting-like position, and began to flip itself over. Overall, it had an average righting time of 15.22 minutes.[7]
Its range is from Alaska to Baja California.[8]
Its habitat is the intertidal zone under rocks and protected places from the low-tide line to about 400 m deep.[9] They often have a commensal scaleworm, Arctonoe vittata.[10]
There may be hybrids and possible distinct species that key to Henricia leviuscula.[11] Subspecies are Henricia leviuscula annectens and Henricia leviuscula levivuscula.[12]
They mainly feed on sponges and small bacteria.[13] The sea star moves these tiny particles, which are captured in mucus and swept to the mouth by ciliated tracts. It may also feed by applying the stomach to the surfaces of sponges and bryozoa.[14]
Not listed. Predators are humans and birds.
Pacific blood star, Blood star, Blood star fish.[16]
Henricia leviuscula, commonly called the Pacific blood star, it is a species of sea star found along the Pacific coast of North America.
Henricia leviuscula est une espèce d'étoile de mer, de la famille des Echinasteridae.
C'est une étoile de mer régulière très caractéristique, de couleur orange ou rouge vif avec un disque central réduit et cinq bras (rarement 4 ou 6) fins et allongés se terminant en pointe légèrement relevée. Elle mesure entre 10 et 12 cm de diamètre à l'âge adulte. Sa surface est légèrement rugueuse au toucher. La face orale (inférieure) est plus claire, chaque bras étant parcouru par un fin sillon ambulacraire[1].
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Cette étoile se trouve sur les fonds rocheux des côtes pacifiques des États-Unis[2] et du Mexique, mais est aussi trouvée jusqu'au Japon[1].
Cette étoile vit souvent dissimulée pendant la journée à l'ombre des rochers, dans des grottes ou des anfractuosités[3]. On la rencontre de la surface à plus de 400[3] voire 400 m de profondeur[1].
Cette étoile se nourrit soit de feutrage algal ou bactérien, qu'elle achemine à sa bouche grâce aux nombreux podia de ses sillons ambulacraires, soit en dévaginant son estomac directement, notamment sur des éponges[3].
Cette étoile vit parfois en symbiose avec le ver Arctonoe vittata[1].
Selon World Register of Marine Species (26 mai 2010)[4] :
Henricia leviuscula est une espèce d'étoile de mer, de la famille des Echinasteridae.
Henricia leviuscula is een zeester uit de familie Echinasteridae.
De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd in 1857 gepubliceerd door William Stimpson.
Bronnen, noten en/of referenties
