Dr. Paddy Ryan, USA
Info
Allostichaster insignis (Farquhar, 1895)
Like other members of the family Asteriidae, Allostichaster is fissiparous. This is defined as the ability to reproduce asexually by fission, e.g. by splitting in half. This often results in two new specimens of Allostichaster each with three large arms and three small arms – hence the common name of 'three and three' star!
The three small arms will eventually catch up and become the same size as the other three arms - and then the process might start all over again!
Synonymised names:
Stichaster insignis Farquhar, 1895
Like other members of the family Asteriidae, Allostichaster is fissiparous. This is defined as the ability to reproduce asexually by fission, e.g. by splitting in half. This often results in two new specimens of Allostichaster each with three large arms and three small arms – hence the common name of 'three and three' star!
The three small arms will eventually catch up and become the same size as the other three arms - and then the process might start all over again!
Synonymised names:
Stichaster insignis Farquhar, 1895
