Starfish Seafloor Segment Replica

$23.00

Starfish are marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have a larger number of arms. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates.

SKU: P049A Tags: , ,

Description

Starfish Seafloor Segment Replica measures 7.5 inches. Starfish Seafloor Segment Replica is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA.

Starfish or sea stars are star-shaped echinoderms belonging to the class Asteroidea. Common usage frequently finds these names being also applied to ophiuroids, which are correctly referred to as brittle stars or basket stars.

There are about 1,500 species of starfish on the seabed in all the world’s oceans, from the tropics to frigid polar waters.

Starfish are marine invertebrates. They typically have a central disc and five arms, though some species have a larger number of arms. The aboral or upper surface may be smooth, granular or spiny, and is covered with overlapping plates.

Many species are brightly colored 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 center of the oral or lower surface. They are opportunistic feeders and are mostly predators on benthic invertebrates.

Several species have specialized feeding behaviors including eversion of their stomachs and suspension feeding. They have complex life cycles and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Most can regenerate damaged parts or lost arms. The Asteroidea occupy several significant ecological roles.

Starfish, such as the ochre sea star and the reef sea star have become widely known as examples of the keystone species concept in ecology. The tropical crown-of-thorns starfish is a voracious predator of coral throughout the Indo-Pacific region, and the northern Pacific sea star is considered to be one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species.

The fossil record for starfish is ancient, dating back to the Ordovician around 450 million years ago, but it is rather sparse, as starfish tend to disintegrate after death. Only the ossicles and spines of the animal are likely to be preserved, making remains hard to locate.

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Additional information

Weight 7 lbs
Dimensions 7.5 in
Starfish SeaFloor Segment

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Superclass: Asterozoa
Class: Asteroidea