Associations
Gastropods
Linckia laevigata is the obligate host of the parasitic gastropod, Thyca crystallina (Kochzius et al. 2009). T. crystalline is camouflaged with the same bright blue color of the sea star and it penetrates its host and lives on the host’s hamel and perihemal fluids (Kochzius et al. 2009; Moosleitner 2004).
Copepods
On the L. laevigata specimens that were collected on the Heron Island Reef, a few camouflaged copepods were found. At the moment, the relationship between the blue sea star species and the found copepod is unclear. Nonetheless, a previous study has described the close association between the cyclopoid copepods and a cushion star species which belongs to the same order (Valvatida) as the L. laevigata (Humes & Ho 1966).
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White circle indicating a camouflaged copepod found on the arm of a blue sea star
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Microscope picture of the found copepod
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