Crossaster papposus

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Crossaster papposus	Common name	Common sun star
MCS Code	ZB75	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Asterozoa
Superclass		Class	Asteroidea
Subclass		Order	Velatida
Suborder		Family	Solasteridae
Genus	Crossaster	Species	papposus
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Campbell, 1994, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997
General Biology
Growth form	Radial, Stellate	Feeding method	Predator, Scavenger
Mobility/Movement	Crawler	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epibenthic
Typical food types	Wide range of invertebrates including bivalves and other echinoderms and carrion	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator	Not relevant	Flexibility	Low (10-45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Medium-large(21-50cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	Not researched
Adult dispersal potential	Not researched	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Strathmann, 1987, Hancock, 1974, Legault & Himmelman, 1993, Lambert, 1981, Carlson & Pfister, 1999, Sloan, 1980, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Mortensen, 1927
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Found on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distribution	Found in north-west Europe from Denmark and the Shetland Isles to northern France and in the north-west Atlantic and north-east Pacific off the coasts of Canada.
Biogeographic range	Cold temperate to temperate.	Depth range	0 - 50 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Pebbles, Gravel / shingle, Coarse clean sand, Fine clean sand, Mixed, Gravelley sand	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Estuary, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone	Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral Offshore	Wave exposure	Field unresearched
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Field unresearched	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	not assigned
Distribution References	Campbell, 1994, NBN, 2002, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Lambert, 1981, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Mortensen, 1927
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic, Direct Development
Reproductive Season	March to April	Reproductive Location	Water column
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	Yes
Life span	11-20 years	Age at reproductive maturity	3-5 years
Generation time	Not researched	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size	750 µm diameter	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not researched Larval settlement period May to July Duration of larval stage 1-2 months
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Strathmann, 1987, Carlson & Pfister, 1999, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Mortensen, 1927