Asterina phylactica

Researched By	Chris Chance & Dave Cocks	Data Supplied By
Refereed by	This information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Asterina phylactica	Common name	A cushion star
MCS Code	ZB60	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Asterozoa
Superclass		Class	Asteroidea
Subclass		Order	Valvatida
Suborder		Family	Asterinidae
Genus	Asterina	Species	phylactica
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References
General Biology
Growth form		Feeding method	Predator
Mobility/Movement		Environmental position
Typical food types	Not researched	Habit
Bioturbator		Flexibility
Fragility		Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height		Growth Rate	Not researched
Adult dispersal potential		Dependency
Sociability
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Common on south and west coasts of British Isles.
Global distribution	UK, Brittany and Mediterranean.
Biogeographic range		Depth range	Sublittoral to 18 m.
Migratory
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Coarse clean sand, Fine clean sand, Sandy mud, Muddy sand, Mud	Physiographic preferences	Open coast
Biological zone	Insufficient information, Field unresearched, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Sublittoral Fringe	Wave exposure	See additional information, Ultra Sheltered, Insufficient information, Extremely Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information, Field unresearched	Salinity	Not relevant, Insufficient information
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism
Reproductive Season		Reproductive Location
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span		Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time		Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Llodra, 2002, Strathmann et al., 1984