BIOTIC Species Information for Porania pulvillus
Researched byMorvan Barnes Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific namePorania pulvillus Common nameA cushion star
MCS CodeZB54 Recent Synonyms

PhylumEchinodermata SubphylumAsterozoa
Superclass ClassAsteroidea
Subclass OrderValvatida
Suborder FamilyPoraniidae
GenusPorania Speciespulvillus
Subspecies   

Additional Information
Taxonomy References Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997,
General Biology
Growth formRadial
Stellate
Feeding methodPredator
Scavenger
Surface deposit feeder
Mobility/MovementCrawler
Environmental positionEpifaunal
Epibenthic
Typical food typesThe cnidarian Alcynonium digitatum, the brachiopod Crania anomala, ascidians and other invertebrates including carrion HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityLow (10-45 degrees)
FragilityIntermediate SizeMedium(11-20 cm)
HeightNot researched Growth RateNot Researched
Adult dispersal potentialNot researched DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
Biology References Ericsson & Hansson, 1973, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound on all British coasts except the southern North Sea.
Global distributionFound in north-west Europe from the northern North Sea to the Bay of Biscay.
Biogeographic rangeTemperate. Depth rangeFrom 10 m to 300 m, seldom down to 1000 m depth.
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferencesMuddy gravel
Sandy mud
Mud
Gravelly mud
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Offshore seabed
Biological zoneUpper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore
Bathybenthic (Bathyal)
Wave exposureField unresearched
Tidal stream strength/Water flowField unresearched
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Southward & Campbell, 2006, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
Developmental mechanismNot researched
Reproductive SeasonNot researched Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual protracted Regeneration potential Yes
Life span6-10 years Age at reproductive maturity1-2 years
Generation timeNot researched FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeExternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialNot researched Larval settlement periodNot researched
Duration of larval stageNot researched   
Reproduction Preferences Additional Information
Reproduction References Gemmill, 1915, Mortensen, 1927, Southward & Campbell, 2006, Picton, 1993,
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