Kingdon : Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Subphylum: Asterozoa
Class: Asteroidea
Starfish are marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have more than this. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates. Many species are brightly coloured in various shades of red or orange, while others are blue, grey or brown. Starfish have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system and a mouth at the centre of the oral or lower surface. They are opportunistic feeders and are mostly predators on benthic invertebrates.
Here is an fine example of a starfish:
I can always count on you to expand my scientific knowledge. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that a starfish would have such an impact upon me!
ReplyDeleteStarfish?
ReplyDeleteAnd sailors of daze gone by would be lured to their death in Davey Jones' Locker by Starfish as we see here but were called Mermaids by them. Excellent specimen of the species!!
ReplyDeleteIII%,
skybill-out