Astrophyton
Not to be confused with Astrophytum.
Astrophyton | |
---|---|
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Echinodermata |
Class: | Ophiuroidea |
Order: | Phrynophiurida |
Family: | Gorgonocephalidae |
Genus: | Astrophyton Fleming, 1828 |
Species: | A. muricatum |
Binomial name | |
Astrophyton muricatum (Lamarck, 1816) | |
Synonyms | |
Euryale muricatum Lamarck, 1816 |
The giant basket star, Astrophyton muricatum, is an echinoderm found throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.[1] It is the only species in the genus Astrophyton.[2]
During the day, it curls up into a tight ball shape to protect itself from predators. At night, it climbs to an elevated point to feed on plankton by extending its intricately branched feeding arms in a bowl-like shape, to snare passing plankton and other organisms from the current.
References
- ↑ Encyclopedia of Life: Astrophyton muricatum
- ↑ Sabine Stöhr & Hans Hansson (2012). S. Stöhr & T. O'Hara, ed. "Astrophyton Fleming, 1828". World Ophiuroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved February 25, 2012.