Observations on the settlement of the brachiolaria larvae of Stichaster australis (Verill) and Coscinasterias calamaria (Gray) (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) in the laboratory and on the shore

摘要: Abstract The settling behaviour is described and substratum preferences of advances brachiolaria larvae Stichaster australis (Verrill) Coscinasterias calamaria (Gray) were determined with reared in the laboratory results correlated field observations habitat juvenile starfish at Maori Bay on west coast Auckland, New Zealand. C. settled almost any hard provided it was coated a ‘primary’ film. Recently metamorphosed could not be found inferred that there low recruitment from plankton to population. S. would only settle, metamorphose, feed encrusting coralline alga Mesophyllum insigne (Foslie) Adey. Nursery areas offshore boulders covered this are present these support populations starfish. M. appears provide stable abundant food source for .