Biology and ecology Leptasterias hexactis

leptasterias hexactis attacking snail nucella lima.

leptasterias hexactis carnivore , able attack , capture surprisingly large prey items high nutritional content. diet includes sea cucumbers, snails, limpets, mussels, chitons , barnacles carrion. on of range competes larger pisaster ochraceus (ochre starfish) food.

leptasterias hexactis dioecious individuals being either male or female. in puget sound, reproduction takes place between november , april. eggs have yolks , between 50 , 1500 laid, depending on size of female. fertilized sperm has been discharged water column males. female holds eggs tube feet in mass near mouth, arching body broods them. unable eat @ time , clings rock best can remaining tube feet though may tips of arms available hold in place. while eggs being brooded, tends them , keeps them clean. lecithotrophic , consume yolks of eggs develop. after 40 days eggs begin hatch juveniles, miniature starfish truncated limbs. these continued brooded mother few weeks before setting off independently on own. if breeding has taken place in aquarium, can seen crawling on glass, , floating on surface of water neuston. become mature in 2 years.