Leptasterias muelleri

Researched By	Morvan Barnes	Data Supplied By	MarLIN
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Leptasterias muelleri	Common name	Northern starfish
MCS Code	ZB102	Recent Synonyms	Asterias mulleri
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Asterozoa
Superclass		Class	Asteroidea
Subclass		Order	Forcipulatida
Suborder		Family	Asteriidae
Genus	Leptasterias	Species	muelleri
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Foltz et al., 1996
General Biology
Growth form	Radial, Stellate	Feeding method	Omnivore, Scavenger, Predator
Mobility/Movement	Crawler	Environmental position	Epifaunal, Epibenthic
Typical food types	Benthic invertebrates including molluscs, worms and ophiuroids as well as carrion, decaying seaweed and microorganisms.	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator	Not researched	Flexibility	High (>45 degrees)
Fragility	Intermediate	Size	Medium(11-20 cm)
Height	Not researched	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	1km-10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Gregarious
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Clark & Downey, 1992, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Picton, 1993, Southward & Campbell, 2006
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Common around most western British and Irish coasts with few recordings on the east and south coasts of England.
Global distribution	Found in north-west Europe from the Arctic south to northern France.
Biogeographic range	Boreal to temperate.	Depth range	0 - 800 m
Migratory	Non-migratory / Resident
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Bedrock, Large to very large boulders, Under boulders, Crevices / fissures, Rockpools, Mixed	Physiographic preferences	Open coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Enclosed coast / Embayment, Estuary, Sealoch
Biological zone	Lower Eulittoral, Sublittoral Fringe, Upper Infralittoral, Lower Infralittoral, Upper Circalittoral, Lower Circalittoral, Circalittoral Offshore, Bathybenthic (Bathyal)	Wave exposure	Very Exposed, Exposed, Moderately Exposed
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Strong (3-6 kn), Moderately Strong (1-3 kn)	Salinity	Full (30-40 psu)
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Clark & Downey, 1992, NBN, 2002, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Direct Development, Brooding
Reproductive Season	March to April	Reproductive Location	As adult
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	Yes
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity	Insufficient information
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity	100 to 1,000 or more
Egg/propagule size	0.8-1.2 mm	Fertilization type	External
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Not relevant Larval settlement period Not relevant Duration of larval stage Not relevant
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Picton, 1993, Southward & Campbell, 2006, McEdward & Janies, 1993, Britt & Petersen, 1982, McEdward & Miner, 2001