Growth and Asexual Reproduction of the Starfish Nepanthia belcheri (Perrier)

Abstract

Nepanthia belcheri (Perrier) attains a longest arm radius of 11 mm during the first growing period, 18 mm in the second, 23 mm in the third, and 27 mm in the fourth year. At radii of approximately 15 mm and 22 mm, asexual reproduction by fission can occur. Fission takes place during the active growth period of the year. The resulting individuals develop new arms resulting in a typical adult arm number of six or seven. The regenerating arms grow more rapidly than the old arms and cannot be differentiated at longest arm radii of 27 mm and 32 mm.