Astrophyton
The only species in its genus, a large nocturnal basket star.
Last updated
Astrophyton is a genus of echinoderms that contains only one species, the giant basket star (Astrophyton muricatum). It is notable for its large size, reaching nearly a metre in diameter when its arms are fully extended, and for its intricate, net-like branched arms used to capture plankton and small organisms from the water current.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumEchinodermata
- ClassOphiuroidea
- OrderPhrynophiurida
- FamilyGorgonocephalidae
- GenusAstrophyton
- SpeciesAstrophyton muricatum
Named by (Lamarck, 1816)
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Astrophyton (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 243214 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the astrophyton has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (2,938 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 8 inland records left out (institution coordinates). 2 isolated far-off records not drawn.
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain) · place coordinates: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Quick Facts
- Species
- muricatum
Facts from the source article.
Background
The giant basket star is found in shallow parts of the tropical western Atlantic, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico, typically on coral reefs, boulders, or in seagrass meadows. During the day, it curls into a tight ball to hide from predators, often retreating to the base of corals or gorgonians or into crevices. At night, it climbs to an elevated perch, such as the top of a large coral or gorgonian, and extends its eight slender, repeatedly branching arms in a bowl-like shape to snare plankton and other organisms from the current.
The mesh formed by the arms is fine, enabling it to capture even small juvenile fishes and shrimps. When a food particle touches the arms, the smallest branches close around it into a ball and move it to the mouth. The shrimp Periclimenes perryae often lives in association with the giant basket star, with larger individuals colored to match the basket star's hue.
More in Brittle Stars
Elsewhere in Sea Cucumbers and Brittle Stars
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Astrophyton (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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