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Daily activity pattern ofAstropecten aranciacus (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) and two related species under natural conditions

Abstract

Daily activity patterns ofAstropecten aranciacus, A. bispinosus andA. jonstoni were investigated by means of SCUBA diving. The three species generally showed two peaks of activity, at dawn and dusk. However, the activity pattern was variable, depending upon site, depth and season. Two populations ofA. aranciacus showed only one daily peak at certain times of the year. These peaks were at night in one case, at noon in the other. Light appears to be an important factor governing the activity pattern.

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Ferlin-Lubini, V., Ribi, G. Daily activity pattern ofAstropecten aranciacus (Echinodermata: Asteroidea) and two related species under natural conditions. Helgolander Wiss. Meeresunters 31, 117–127 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02296993

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