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Why do we call them asterina? Name changed at some point?Haha, yeah, these are Aquilonastra starfish (though they're known in the hobby as Asterina starfish) - they frequently reproduce by splitting in half or dropping legs, then regenerating both parts into full starfish.
They're neat little critters, but a lot people consider them pests.
What? They changed the classification? (The new name is kinda long, and it has the letter q in it.)Haha, yeah, these are Aquilonastra starfish (though they're known in the hobby as Asterina starfish) - they frequently reproduce by splitting in half or dropping legs, then regenerating both parts into full starfish.
They're neat little critters, but a lot people consider them pests.
Why do we call them asterina? Name changed at some point?
My understanding is that they were called Asterina stars (which are actually stars of a different genus from the same family, Asterinidae) because someone was confused about what kind of star the tiny starfish they found were, and the name stuck before the mistake was realized.What? They changed the classification? (The new name is kinda long, and it has the letter q in it.)
That's all good to know! Thank you!My understanding is that they were called Asterina stars (which are actually stars of a different genus from the same family, Asterinidae) because someone was confused about what kind of star the tiny starfish they found were, and the name stuck before the mistake was realized.
Aquilonastra stars are typically presumed to be biofilm eaters and they typically reproduce asexually (fissiparously); Asterina stars are typically predatory and reproduce sexually.
Aquilonastra are incredibly common in the hobby while Asterina are not. Both are typically tiny, generally fairly similar looking stars though.
Haha, yeah we get a few wrong (like "Munnid Isopods" for another example), but we're generally pretty close.That's all good to know! Thank you!Hobbists and our naming conventions
What's wrong with munnid isopod?Haha, yeah we get a few wrong (like "Munnid Isopods" for another example), but we're generally pretty close.
To the best of my current knowledge (I still need to go digging deeper through the taxonomy), the "Munnid Isopods" we typically get in the hobby are actually a different kind of isopod from the same superfamily, Janiroidea:What's wrong with munnid isopod?
Thanks for sharing! I will try to remember to give the correct info going forwardTo the best of my current knowledge (I still need to go digging deeper through the taxonomy), the "Munnid Isopods" we typically get in the hobby are actually a different kind of isopod from the same superfamily, Janiroidea:
Isopod Genus/species ID?
I’m doing a personal project where I find the Binomial Nomenclature of every organism in my reef. It’s been going well, up until now. I have these isopods, commonly referred to as “Munnid Isopods” obviously from the Munnidae family; but as for genus and species, I’m at a loss. I’ve checked the...www.reef2reef.com
Great thread, thanks for linking.To the best of my current knowledge (I still need to go digging deeper through the taxonomy), the "Munnid Isopods" we typically get in the hobby are actually a different kind of isopod from the same superfamily, Janiroidea:
Isopod Genus/species ID?
I’m doing a personal project where I find the Binomial Nomenclature of every organism in my reef. It’s been going well, up until now. I have these isopods, commonly referred to as “Munnid Isopods” obviously from the Munnidae family; but as for genus and species, I’m at a loss. I’ve checked the...www.reef2reef.com
Most likely, yeah, Janiroidean Isopods, presumably Janirid Isopods more specifically at this point; the family Janiridae (as mentioned in the other thread) is a solid assumption at this point, I'll just personally feel more comfortable about using it once I've looked a little deeper at the rest of the Superfamily and possibly some relatives (it's on my to-do list, but the list is pretty extensive at the moment, so it may be a while).So, would "Janiroidean isopod" be the correct way to specify these?
I guess I was wondering about the extra "oi"... Janirid vs Janiroid.Most likely, yeah, Janiroidean Isopods, presumably Janirid Isopods more specifically at this point;