Asterina stellifera is one of thirty species of small bat star in the genus Asterina. It is mainly found on the east coast of South America, ranging from Cabo Frio, Brazil to Mar del Plata, Argentina. In the past decades, their numbers have depleted and are currently abundant only in the southern limit of its former range. Due to this decline, it is on Brazil’s endangered species list. It has a slow growth rate and relatively long lifespan. A. stellifera is an omnivorous generalist predator, and modifies the abundance of other invertebrates and algae in subtidal marine communities.
Om
OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
Cr
CrawlingOv
OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
No
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
A
starts withAsterina stellifera feeds on macroalgae, bryozoans, tunicates, polyps, and biofilm as well as different types of kelp.
Asterina stellifera is one of the few asteroid species found in the rocky coast of the South Atlantic Ocean. They stay in the coastal zones near rocky outcroppings and most can be found around 6–8 metres (20–26 ft) down.
The accelerating development of Mar del Plata shoreline for industry, agriculture, and tourism during the last decade is degrading coastal ecosystems by habitat disturbance and pollution. On top of that, the recent arrival of two invasive species into the sea stars last remaining habitat, the kelp Undaria pinnatifida and the sea slug Pleurobranchaea maculata add potential threats. The kelp competes for space, not only the space of A. stellifera but also that of its prey. P. maculata has a large overlap of prey with A. stellifera, decreasing the amount available for the sea star.
Asterina stellifera has a defined annual and synchronous reproductive cycle. This cycle is affected by seawater temperature and day-length, they increase chances of fertilization by controlling gametogenesis (a process in which one cell splits to form four more cells). Reproduction is also regulated by planktonic food supply. A. stellifera can reproduce asexually by breaking apart into smaller parts and regrowing the missing limb. This explains why Asterina can be found living with less than five arms. Asterian sea stars also reproduce through dispersal of eggs. At the beginning of reproduction, many starfish belonging to the asteroid species form aggregations, nothing has been researched for A. stellifera but it can be assumed they would also mate like this. It is known that other Asterina species deposit up to 1000 eggs in a specific location in the process of reproduction. They mainly deposit underneath large rocks or corals. Scientists have also found that several males will surround one female during reproduction. From this, we can infer that A. stellifera would do this, but it has not yet been researched fully.
