Henricia
Henricia is a genus of starfish, or sea stars, belonging to the family Henriciidae. These echinoderms are characterized by their small size, typically ranging from 1 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and their five-rayed, often star-shaped bodies. They are widely distributed throughout the world’s oceans, inhabiting a variety of marine environments, including rocky shores, sandy bottoms, and even the deep sea.
Common Names
Henricia species are commonly known as "spiny sea stars" or "brittle stars" due to their often spiky surface and tendency to fragment when disturbed.
Characteristics
Members of the genus Henricia possess a number of distinguishing characteristics, including:
- Five arms: These starfish have five distinct arms radiating from a central disc, giving them their characteristic star-shaped appearance.
- Spines: The surface of the arms is covered in numerous small spines, which can be quite sharp, especially in some species.
- Papulae: Tiny, soft projections called papulae cover the body of the starfish, facilitating respiration and waste removal.
- Ambulacral grooves: These grooves run along the underside of each arm, housing the tube feet, which aid in movement and feeding.
- Color variation: Henricia species exhibit a wide range of colors, including red, orange, brown, yellow, and even white.
Environments
Henricia starfish are found in a diverse array of marine habitats, including:
- Intertidal zones: Some species can tolerate the harsh conditions of the intertidal zone, where they are exposed to air and sunlight during low tide.
- Subtidal zones: Others inhabit the deeper, submerged areas of the subtidal zone, where they live among seaweed and other invertebrates.
- Deep sea: Certain species are adapted to the extreme conditions of the deep sea, where they are found at depths of several thousand meters.
References
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