Metrodira subulata is a species of starfish in the family Echinasteridae. It is found on the seabed in shallow parts of the Indo-Pacific region.
| Metrodira subulata | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Asteroidea |
| Order: | Spinulosida |
| Family: | Echinasteridae |
| Genus: | Metrodira |
| Species: | M. subulata
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| Binomial name | |
| Metrodira subulata Gray, 1840 [1]
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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Description edit
Metrodira subulata has long, slender tapering arms. The aboral (upper) surface has many granulations and large pores. The margins have a row of smooth plates and there are short spines at the junctions of the plates. The colour of the aboral surface is yellowish brown.[2] The spines are red, which contrasts with the sombre body colour and is considered an aposematic trait.[3]
References edit
- ^ a b Mah, Christopher (2010). Mah CL (ed.). "Metrodira subulata Gray, 1840". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2015-07-23.
- ^ Gray, John Edward (1841). "A Synopsis of the Genera and Species of the Class Hypostoma (Asterias, Linnaeus)". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History: Including Zoology, Botany, and Geology. Taylor & Francis: 282.
- ^ Inbar, Moshe; Lev-Yadun, Simcha (2005). "Conspicuous and aposematic spines in the animal kingdom". Naturwissenschaften. 92 (4): 170–172. doi:10.1007/s00114-005-0608-2. PMID 15761732.
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