Starfish

This is an Asterias rubens, otherwise known as a common starfish. It is native to the Atlantic and arctic oceans. My favorite feature of the sea star is it's water vascular system. The water vascular system helps the starfish move because the spaces in the coelom fill with water. The madreporite is in the center of the star fish and this controls the water movement. Water then flows towards ampulla, which control the movement of its tube feet. (This is a very simplified explanation of the water vascular system). Also, star fish mainly eat clams and mussels that are slow moving. They can use their arms to rip open their prey! Some even have stomachs that extend out of their body to snatch a bite to eat! These are some cool adaptations and features star fish have to help them fill their ecological roll.

References: www.reference.com/science/water-vascular-system-sea-star-... www.madreporite.com/science/ecology.htm

(This picture was taken at the Fort Fisher Aquarium)

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