Rupicola [SEP] parent taxon
Rupicola
Rupicola is a small genus of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The species are endemic to New South Wales in Australia and include:
- "Rupicola apiculata"
- "Rupicola ciliata"
- "Rupicola decumbens"
- "Rupicola sprengelioides"
The genus was first formally described in 1898 by Joseph Maiden and Ernst Betche.
the parent continues to feed while brooding the young.
Ecology.
"Anasterias rupicola" is a carnivore. Even juveniles a few millimetres across actively seek out prey. Smaller starfish feed on isopods, pelecypods and chitons. Larger starfish also feed on amphipods, polychaete worms and the limpet "Nacella delesserti", which makes up 90% of its diet by mass. The feeding method depends on the relative size of starfish and victim. Small items are swallowed whole but larger items are tackled by the starfish everting its cardiac