The movement of a sea star's arms is controlled by a complex system of muscles and a water vascular system. The water vascular system, which operates through hydraulic pressure, allows sea stars to extend and retract their tube feet located on the underside of their arms. By contracting and relaxing specific muscles, they can coordinate movements, enabling them to crawl, capture prey, and navigate their environment effectively. This unique system is central to their locomotion and feeding behavior.
tube feet
sea lilies and feather stars
sea lilies and feather stars
Each species has its own scientific name however, their class is Ophiuroidea.
Starfishes, or sea stars, are members of the do-all-starfishes-or-sea-stars-have-five-armsAsteroidea. Their bodies consist of a central disk from which radiate from five to more than twenty arms or rays
Brittle stars do not have tube feet like sea stars. Instead, they possess flexible, slender arms that can move independently and are lined with small spines. While they lack the suction capability of tube feet, brittle stars can use their arms for locomotion and feeding. Their tube-like structures, called podia, are primarily used for respiration rather than movement.
Asteroidea, or sea stars, have a radial symmetry with five or more arms extending from a central disc. They have a calcareous endoskeleton made up of ossicles, and a water vascular system with tube feet used for movement and feeding. Their arms contain a network of nerves and muscles for coordination and locomotion.
Sea stars have a decentralized nervous system that lacks a central brain. Instead, it consists of a nerve net and a series of radial nerves extending from a central nerve ring, allowing them to coordinate movement and respond to their environment. Sensory cells located on their arms help them detect light, chemicals, and touch, contributing to their ability to navigate and hunt for food. This simple yet effective system enables sea stars to thrive in their marine habitats.
Sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea stars are classified in the phylum Echinodermata. They have a spiny exterior and tube feet that they use for movement and feeding.
The size of a starfish or sea star can vary. There are over 2,000 different species of sea stars that have 5, 10, 20, 40 or more arms.
Sand dollars and sea stars are both marine echinoderms, but they have distinct differences. Sand dollars have a flat, disc-like shape with a rigid skeleton covered in fine, velvety spines, while sea stars have a star-shaped body with multiple arms radiating from a central disc. Additionally, sand dollars primarily inhabit sandy ocean floors, feeding on tiny organic particles, whereas sea stars are typically found on rocky substrates and are known for their predatory behavior, often feeding on mollusks. Their reproductive and locomotion strategies also differ, with sand dollars using their spines for movement and sea stars using tube feet.
Sun stars, or sunflower stars (Pycnopodia helianthoides), are large sea stars known for their many arms and predatory behavior. Their main predators include larger sea creatures such as certain species of fish, sea otters, and other starfish. Additionally, they can be vulnerable to disease and environmental changes, which can impact their populations.