Sea Stars of British Columbia, Southeast Alaska and Puget Sound

by Lambert, Philip

• ISBN13: 9780774808255
• ISBN10: 077480825X
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-06-01
• Publisher: The Royal British Columbia Museum

Summary

In this handbook, Philip Lambert describes 43 species and subspecies of sea stars in the coastal waters of northwestern North America. The sea-star fauna of the region from Glacier Bay, Alaska, to Puget Sound in Washington, is the most diverse of all the temperate waters of the world. The great age of the Pacific Basin, and the varied habitats along this complex coastline, created by scouring glaciers and other natural forces, have stimulated the evolution of many new forms. Sea Stars bridges the gap between academic and popular publications and is enhanced by illustrations and photographs, many in colour. Although he covers the coastal waters down to 200 metres below the surface, Lambert lists 26 more species that live below 200 metres and 14 others that occur just outside the region covered by this book. “If sea stars fascinate you (and they’re pretty hard to resist on this coast) then you’ll appreciate this book. It is essential for anyone doing research involving northwest sea stars and is also a great field guide for divers and seaside naturalists.” – Echinoderm Newsletter

Author Biography

Philip Lambert is curator of marine invertebrates at the Royal British Columbia Museum

Table of Contents

Preface	1	(2)
Introduction	3	(3)
External Anatomy	6	(2)
Internal Anatomy	8	(3)
Reproduction	11	(1)
Regeneration	12	(1)
Movement	13	(1)
Feeding	14	(1)
Parasites and Commensals	15	(1)
Predators	16	(1)
Species Names	16	(2)
Collecting	18	(1)
General References	18	(3)
Key to Families	21	(5)
Checklist	26	(4)
Species Accounts	30	(117)
Order Paxillosida	34	(13)
Family Luidiidae	34	(3)
Family Astropectinidae	37	(6)
Family Porcellanasteridae	43	(1)
Family Ctenodiscidae	44	(3)
Order Notomyotida	47	(3)
Family Benthopectinidae	47	(3)
Order Valvatida	50	(25)
Family Asterinidae	50	(4)
Family Poraniidae	54	(3)
Family Goniasteridae	57	(14)
Family Asteropseidae	71	(4)
Order Velatida	75	(24)
Family Solasteridae	75	(16)
Family Pterasteridae	91	(7)
Family Korethrasteridae	98	(1)
Order Spinulosida	99	(13)
Family Echinasteridae	99	(13)
Order Forcipulatida	112	(34)
Family Zoroasteridae	112	(1)
Family Asteriidae	112	(34)
Family Pedicellasteridae	146	(1)
Family Labidiasteridae	146	(1)
Order Brisingida	146	(1)
Family Brisingidae	146	(1)
Family Freyellidae	146	(1)
Glossary	147	(7)
References	154	(24)
Acknowledgements	178	(2)
Index	180