starfishes

STARFISH Life Cycle Fertilization is external. -blastula, a hollow ball -gastrula, deep groove ddevelops after a day -bipinnaria larva w/ ciliated bands -brachiolaria larva forms after weeks -young starfish -adult starfish1

Types of Starfish Common Starfish Scientific Name: Asteria Ruben -found on British & Irish coast, north east Atlantic -can grow up to 52 cm in diameter, usually 10-30cm in diameter -vary in color, mostly brown & orange & purple Behaviors -most carnivorous -eat sponges, byozoans, ascidians, & molluscs -some are specialized feeders -regeneration serves as asexual reproduction and a way to escape predators -light sensitive -tube feet on under arms -the mouth is a central disc

Predators -triton trumpet shell -puffer fish -reef crab -Harlequin shrimp



Citations SOURCES 1. __Growth of a Starfish.__1995. Microscopy-UK. 5 Feb 2009. 2. __Common Starfish.__ 2008. Marine Life Information. 5 Feb. 2008.  3. __Invertabrates.__2008.Teresa Zubi. 6 Feb. 2008.  4.__Sea Stars:Jewels of the Seashore and the Reefs.__2008. Dive Training. 9 Feb. 2008. 

PICTURES 1. Chai, Lee. Starfishes at Low tide.Giliano Island.2005.Online photo. Beautiful British Columbia.<[]> 2.Blay,Jackson. 2008. Online photo.Starfish. Starfish. 