Heliasteridae

The Heliasteridae are a family of Asteroidea (sea stars) in the order Forcipulatida. It includes two genera: Heliaster from the East Pacific (California to Chile, including offshore islands), and Labidiaster from southernmost South America, Antarctica and subantarctic oceans.

Heliasteridae
Heliaster helianthus in Chile
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Echinodermata
Class:
Asteroidea
Order:
Forcipulatida
Family:
Heliasteridae

Viguier, 1878 [1]
Diversity
2 genera, 7 species

Genera

The World Register of Marine Species includes two genera and seven species within the family Heliasteridae:[1]

gollark: What a brilliant lineage, <@365129049183485953>.
gollark: See last paragraph.
gollark: ``` They're very gentle creatures, spending most of their lives flying lazy loops in the sky or draped decoratively over evergreen boughs and along eaves. Their green "garland" along their spine is modified dorsal fin, flexible, not stiff. Though they do eat normal small prey animals, the mainstay of their diet is mana absorbed through the green fins. They greatly prefer Life mana, but an abundance of any in a region will suffice. The berries are most often highly refined fire mana, and give gentle, comforting warmth to any who find one. They will gather in small groups in areas with higher than normal mana concentrations in the air, though they can be seen nearly anywhere. They appear to be oblivious to extremes of both hot and cold weather, though they're seen more often during the snowy months. It is believed that they actively convert excess mana to fire mana, which is then deliberately dropped in the form of their berries. If one finds a nest made by one of these dragons they will find a layer of the mana berries lining the bottom, presumably to keep the eggs warm while the parent is away. These dragons are believed to be the source of the practice of decorating homes and trees with garlands made of evergreen boughs and holly berries or cranberries.```The Wiki™.
gollark: Oh, wait, it makes sense.
gollark: ???

References
  1. Mah, Christopher (2013). Mah CL (ed.). "Heliasteridae". World Asteroidea database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2013-11-16.


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