Luidia ciliaris (Philippi, 1837)

AphiaID: 123920

Seven-armed starfish

Biota (Superdominio) > Animalia (Kingdom) > Echinodermata (Phylum) > Asterozoa (Subphylum) > Asteroidea (Class) > Ambuloasteroidea (Subclass) > Neoasteroidea (Infraclass) > Valvatacea (Super order) > Paxillosida (Order) > Luidiidae (Family) > Luidia (Genero)

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OMARE records: 5
OBIS records: 4

Description

Luidia ciliaris is a large starfish, typically 40 cm across and occasionally up to 60 cm. It is red, orange-brown or yellow in colour and lighter on the underside. There are seven long arms that are a constant width along their length, tapering only at their outer end. A fringe of short white spines projects down the margins of each arm. The tube feet are long and have no suckers.

Geographic distribution

Found from the Faeroe Islands to Cape Verde and in the Mediterranean.

Habitat

Found on sand, gravel, mixed sediments and rock from the lower shore to about 400 m. May partly burrow into soft sediments.

Identifying features

  • A large starfish, typically up to 40 cm in diameter, may occasionally reach 60 cm.
  • Orange-brown or reddish in colour and lighter on the underside.
  • 7 long arms that taper only at their outer ends.
  • A conspicuous fringe of stiff, white spines projects from the margins of each arm.
  • The tube feet are long and have no suckers.

Conservation Status

Synonyms

Asterias ciliaris Philippi, 1837
Asterias imperati Delle Chiaje, 1841
Asterias pectinata Couch, 1840
Hemicnemis ciliaris (Philippi, 1837)
Luidia fragilissima Forbes, 1839

International References

additional source Hansson, H. (2004). North East Atlantic Taxa (NEAT): Nematoda. Internet pdf Ed. Aug 1998., available online at http://www.tmbl.gu.se/libdb/taxon/taxa.html [details]

basis of record Hansson, H.G. (2001). Echinodermata, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,. 50: pp. 336-351. [details]

additional source Clark, A.M.; Downey, M.E. (1992). Starfishes of the Atlantic. Chapman & Hall Identification Guides, 3. Chapman & Hall. London, UK. ISBN 0-412-43280-3. xxvi, 794 pp. [details]

additional source Southward, E.C.; Campbell, A.C. (2006). [Echinoderms: keys and notes for the identification of British species]. Synopses of the British fauna (new series), 56. Field Studies Council: Shrewsbury, UK. ISBN 1-85153-269-2. 272 pp. [details]

additional source Dyntaxa. (2013). Swedish Taxonomic Database. Accessed at www.dyntaxa.se [15-01-2013]., available online at http://www.dyntaxa.se [details]

original description Philippi, A. (1837). Ueber die mit Asterias auranciaca verwandten und verweschselton Asterien der Sicilianschen Kuste. Archiv für Naturgeschichte. 3: 193-194., available online at http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/48150#page/205/mode/1up [details]

additional source Clark, A.M.; Downey, M.E. (1992). Starfishes of the Atlantic. Chapman & Hall Identification Guides, 3. Chapman & Hall. London, UK. ISBN 0-412-43280-3. xxvi, 794 pp. [details]

additional source Southward, E.C.; Campbell, A.C. (2006). [Echinoderms: keys and notes for the identification of British species]. Synopses of the British fauna (new series), 56. Field Studies Council: Shrewsbury, UK. ISBN 1-85153-269-2. 272 pp. [details]

original description Philippi, R. A. (1837). Ueber die mit Asterias auranciaca verwandten und verweschselton Asterien der Sicilianschen Kuste. Archiv für Naturgeschichte. 3: 193-194., available online at https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13477919 [details]

additional source Clark, A. M.; Downey, M. E. (1992). Starfishes of the Atlantic. Chapman & Hall Identification Guides, 3. Chapman & Hall. London, UK. ISBN 0-412-43280-3. xxvi, 794 pp. [details]

additional source Southward, E.C.; Campbell, A.C. (2006). [Echinoderms: keys and notes for the identification of British species]. Synopses of the British fauna (new series), 56. Field Studies Council: Shrewsbury, UK. ISBN 1-85153-269-2. 272 pp. [details]

additional source Jagt, J.W.M. (1991). Early Miocene luidiid asteroids (Echinodermata, Asteroidea) from Winterswijk-Miste (The Netherlands). Mededelingen van de Werkgroep voor Tertiaire en Kwartaire Geologie. 28(1), 35–43., available online at https://natuurtijdschriften.nl/pub/521467 [details]

Last update: 17 Nov. 2017
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