Stellatorida

Stellatorida is a term encountered primarily in speculative biology and in some hobbyist taxonomies to describe a proposed order of star-shaped marine invertebrates. It is not recognized by formal zoological nomenclature, and there is no consensus on its validity.

Etymology and scope: The name combines Latin stella, "star," with a conventional taxonomic suffix. Descriptions of Stellatorida depict organisms with a stellate body plan and multiple, radiating arms; sources disagree on the exact number of arms and the arrangement, leading to a range of proposed morphologies within the concept.

Morphology: In most accounts, Stellatorida organisms show a central disc from which five or more arms radiate in a star-like pattern. They are imagined to possess a calcareous skeleton or ossicles, a flexible integument, and sometimes photogenic or bioluminescent organs at arm tips. Variants across sources illustrate a spectrum from compact, symmetrical forms to irregular, asymmetric bodies.

Ecology and behavior: They are said to inhabit benthic zones, from shallow continental shelves to deeper abyssal regions, often preferring crevices or complex substrates such as coral or rocky outcrops. Descriptions commonly portray them as slow-moving or sessile, with feeding modes including scavenging, filtering, or preying on small invertebrates, depending on the source.

Reproduction and development: Reproductive modes are described inconsistently, with some accounts suggesting sexual or asexual means. Larval forms are variably likened to echinoderm-type larvae, while other treatises offer more generalized developmental stages.

Taxonomic status and reception: As a concept, Stellatorida remains outside formal databases and peer-reviewed taxonomy. It appears mainly in fiction, world-building materials, and illustrative guides used to discuss radial symmetry and diverse star-like body plans, rather than in standard scientific classifications.