Sylvain Le Bris, Frankreich
Info
Asterina pancerii is native to the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent Sea of Marmara, where the small starfish can be observed on the Neptune grass Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, 1813 and on the tang grass Cymodocea nodosa (Ascherson, 1870).
Although the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species does not monitor Asterina pancerii, the starfish is a specially protected species in the Mediterranean, see the links to: Specially Protected Areas and Biodiversity in the Mediterranean and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
The body is exactly pentagonal or star-shaped; of 120 individuals examined, only one had a hexagonal shape. Asterina pancerii have a very variable, vivid color, which can be multicolored (brick red or purple, green, olive green, or blue).
Reproduction: Sexual and asexual reproduction It has been reported several times and documented with photos that the starfish is a brooding species, with unborn baby starfish living inside their mother and eating each other!As is well known with starfish, Asterina pancerii also has a high ability to regenerate its arms.
Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid pigment, has been found in the body cells of Asterina pancerii. Astaxanthin is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world!
Similar species: Asterina gibbosa (Pennant, 1777)
Synonyms:
Asterina gibbosa var. panceri (Gasco, 1876) · unaccepted
Asteriscus pancerii Gasco, 1876 · unaccepted (synonym)
Although the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species does not monitor Asterina pancerii, the starfish is a specially protected species in the Mediterranean, see the links to: Specially Protected Areas and Biodiversity in the Mediterranean and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats.
The body is exactly pentagonal or star-shaped; of 120 individuals examined, only one had a hexagonal shape. Asterina pancerii have a very variable, vivid color, which can be multicolored (brick red or purple, green, olive green, or blue).
Reproduction: Sexual and asexual reproduction It has been reported several times and documented with photos that the starfish is a brooding species, with unborn baby starfish living inside their mother and eating each other!As is well known with starfish, Asterina pancerii also has a high ability to regenerate its arms.
Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid pigment, has been found in the body cells of Asterina pancerii. Astaxanthin is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world!
Similar species: Asterina gibbosa (Pennant, 1777)
Synonyms:
Asterina gibbosa var. panceri (Gasco, 1876) · unaccepted
Asteriscus pancerii Gasco, 1876 · unaccepted (synonym)
