''Meridiastra'' is a genus of

star fish Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or basket stars. Starfish ...

in the family

Asterinidae The Asterinidae are a large family of sea stars in the order Valvatida. Description and characteristics These are generally small sea stars, flattened dorsally and bearing very short arms, often giving a pentagonal shape in the body ;example: ...

. The genus is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with most records from the waters around Australia. They occur in shallow waters down to a depth of about . ''Meridiastra'' are morphologically similar to the Atlantic genus '' Asterina''. They are also phylogenetically close and possibly sister genera.

Etymology

The generic name is derived from the Latin ''meridies'' (=south) and ''astrum'' (=star), in reference to the southern Australian and Pacific distribution of the genus (at the time of description – the genus now includes also species occurring on the northern hemisphere (Mexico, Panama)).

Description

''Meridiastra'' are sea stars with five to eight rays (arms). They range from very small (''

Meridiastra rapa ''Meridiastra'' is a genus of star fish in the family Asterinidae. The genus is found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with most records from the waters around Australia. They occur in shallow waters down to a depth of about . ''Meridiastra'' ar ...

'': radius ) to medium-sized (''

Meridiastra gunnii ''Meridiastra gunnii'' is an Australian species of sea star Starfish or sea stars are Star polygon, star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class (biology), class Asteroidea (). Common usage frequently finds these names being also appli ...

'': radius ). The interradial margin is straight to incurved; when the rays are distinct, they have narrowly rounded to pointed tips. One species, '' Meridiastra fissura'', is

fissiparous Fission, in biology, is the division of a single entity into two or more parts and the regeneration of those parts to separate entities resembling the original. The object experiencing fission is usually a cell, but the term may also refer to how ...

Species

There are 11 recognized species:

References

{{taxonbar , from=Q3460325 Asterinidae Asteroidea genera