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Blue sea star, Linckia laevigata, (sometimes called the “blue Linckia” or blue star) is a species of sea star in the shallow waters of tropical Indo-Pacific. The variation (“polymorphism”, in this case, a “color morph”) most commonly found is pure blue, dark blue, or light blue, although observers find the aqua, purple, or orange variation throughout the ocean.
These sea stars may grow up to 30 cm in diameter, with rounded tips at each of the arms; some individuals may bear lighter or darker spots along each of their arms. Individual specimens are typically firm in texture, possessing the slightly tubular, elongated arms common to most of other members of the family Ophidiasteridae, and usually possessing short, yellowish tube feet. stella marina Linckia laevigata
Blue Sea Star – Stella Marina Blu – Linckia laevigata – www.intotheblue.it – www.intotheblue.link
An inhabitant of coral reefs and sea grass beds, this species is relatively common and is typically found in sparse density throughout its range. Blue stars live subtidally, or sometimes intertidally, on fine (sand) or hard substrata and move relatively slowly (mean locomotion rate of 8.1 cm/min). The genus Linckia, as is true of other species of starfish, is recognized by scientists as being possessed of remarkable regenerative capabilities, and endowed with powers of defensive autotomy against predators: Although not yet documented, L. laevigata may be able to reproduce asexually, as does the related species Linkia multifora (another denizen of tropical seas, but of differing coloration, i.e., pink or reddish mottled with white and yellow, which has been observed reproducing asexually in captivity).
Blue Sea Star – Stella Marina Blu – Linckia laevigata – www.intotheblue.it – www.intotheblue.link
Linckia multifora produces ‘comets’, or separated arms, from the mother individual; these offspring proceed to grow four tiny stubs of arms ready for growth to maturity. L. laevigata is apparently not an exception to this behavior, as many individuals observed in nature are missing arms or, on occasion, in the comet form.Some species of other reef inhabitants prey on this species of sea star. Various pufferfishes, Charonia species (triton shells),harlequin shrimp, and even some sea anemones have been observed to eat whole or parts of the sea stars.
Blue Sea Star – Stella Marina Blu – Linckia laevigata – www.intotheblue.it – www.intotheblue.link
Blue Linckia is also prone to parasitization by a species of the parasitic gastropod Thyca crystallina. Commensal associations sometimes play part on this echinoderm’s life; animals such as Periclimenes shrimp are sometimes found commensally on the oral or aboral surface of the animal, picking up mucus and detritus.
(extract from Wikipedia)
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