Henricia leviuscula

Biology/Natural History: Feeds mainly on sponges, or on particulates which stick to mucus on the body surface and are passed to the mouth. Often has a commensal scaleworm, Arctonoe vittata. Small females may brood their young in winter (or the brooders may be a separate species--this is most likely the correct interpretation). Has ocelli at the tips of the rays.

Henricia leviuscula is fairly stiff with only small papulae and tube feet. It seems to rely much more on seawater uptake through the madreporite than does Leptasterias hexactis, another intertidal species of similar size (Ferguson, 1994).

With 5 (occasionally 4 or 6) rays and a central disk less than 1/5 of total width. The aboral surface is slightly gritty due to the ridgelike network of tiny ossicles separating small depressions between. The ridges are composed of clusters of small spines (paxillae) easily visible under magnification (picture), and are wider than the depressions between. No pedicellariae. Three rows of enlarged marginal plates (not clearly visible except under magnification) line the edges of the ambulacral grooves (picture). Ambulacral grooves are narrow (picture). Base of rays are not so thickened that they are separated from one another by a crease which extends onto the disk. Color cream or bright orange; not mottled. Genital pores (between rays) slightly aboral to the margin of the disk. Rarely over 12 cm diameter.

Geographical Range: Aleutian Islands, AK to Baja California, Mexico; Japan

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: This species is variable and is likely a species complex. H. sanguinolenta has no prominent marginal plates and the rays are thickened at the base, forming creases between them. Henricia pumila is a small species with genital pores slightly oral to the margin of the disk and is a mottled color.

Known from seamounts and knolls

Depth range based on 199 specimens in 5 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 111 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): -2 - 1100
  Temperature range (°C): 1.890 - 10.345
  Nitrate (umol/L): 5.634 - 43.951
  Salinity (PPS): 31.235 - 34.384
  Oxygen (ml/l): 0.482 - 7.407
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.883 - 3.312
  Silicate (umol/l): 12.975 - 145.444

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): -2 - 1100

Temperature range (°C): 1.890 - 10.345

Nitrate (umol/L): 5.634 - 43.951

Salinity (PPS): 31.235 - 34.384

Oxygen (ml/l): 0.482 - 7.407

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.883 - 3.312

Silicate (umol/l): 12.975 - 145.444
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth Range: Low intertidal to 671 m

Habitat: Common in the rocky intertidal and subtidally in rocky and shelly hash areas.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Specimens with Barcodes: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1