Solanderiidae
Solanderiidae is a family of sea stars in the order Valvatida. They are commonly known as the sun stars. The family contains around 50 species, found in the Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea. They are characterized by their distinctive star-shaped bodies with numerous arms, typically 6 to 15.
Characteristics
Solanderiidae are characterized by the following:
- Star-shaped body with numerous arms (typically 6 to 15)
- Arms are typically long and slender, with a distinct tip
- Aboral surface (upper surface) covered in small, granular ossicles (bone-like structures)
- Oral surface (lower surface) with a central mouth surrounded by numerous ambulacral grooves
- Possess pedicellariae (small pincer-like structures) on the aboral surface
Habitat and Distribution
Solanderiidae species are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Rocky reefs
- Sandy bottoms
- Seagrass meadows
- Coral reefs
They are found in both shallow and deep waters, and their distribution spans the Indo-Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean Sea.
Feeding
Solanderiidae are carnivorous and primarily feed on invertebrates, such as:
- Mollusks
- Polychaetes
- Crustaceans
- Other echinoderms
They use their arms to capture prey, and then extend their stomach out of their mouth to digest the food externally.
Reproduction
Solanderiidae reproduce sexually, releasing sperm and eggs into the water. The fertilized eggs develop into free-swimming larvae that eventually settle on the seabed and transform into adult starfish.