Parvulastra is a genus of starfish belonging to the family Asterinidae.[2][3] The species of this genus are found in Southern Hemisphere.[1][3]

Parvulastra
Parvulastra exigua
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Valvatida
Family: Asterinidae
Genus: Parvulastra
O'Loughlin, 2004[1]

The genus shows an unusual reproductive mode within Asterinidae: Parvulastra parvivipara and Parvulastra vivipara are viviparous. Prior to their description as distinct species, they were considered variants of Parvulastra exigua, which has free-living (but non-feeding) larvae.[4]

Species

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There are five species:[2][3]

References

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  1. ^ a b O'Loughlin, P. Mark; Waters, Jonathan M. (2004). "A molecular and morphological revision of genera of Asterinidae (Echinodermata: Asteroidea)". Memoirs of Museum Victoria. 61 (1): 1–40. doi:10.24199/j.mmv.2004.61.1.
  2. ^ a b Mah CL, ed. (2022). "Parvulastra O'Loughlin in O'Loughlin & Waters, 2004". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Parvulastra O'Loughlin, 2004". GBIF. Retrieved 30 September 2021.
  4. ^ Byrne, M. (1996). "Viviparity and intragonadal cannibalism in the diminutive sea stars Patiriella vivipara and P. parvivipara (family Asterinidae)". Marine Biology. 125 (3): 551–567. doi:10.1007/BF00353268. S2CID 83110156.