Echinoderm Collection (page 9)

Orange yellow and blue sea apple feeding, Komodo, Indonesia

A crown-of-thorns starfish feeds on coral
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on coral near Cocos Island, Costa Rica

Tiny nudibranch on sea cucumber, Australia

Bumblebee shrimp hiding on a basket star, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia

Black spiny urchins graze on algae on the seafloor in Indonesia
Black spiny urchins (Diadema sp.) graze on algae on a sand and rubble seafloor in Indonesia. Urchins are often found in disturbed areas due to algae being prominent there

A sea cucumber clings to a reef in Alor, Indonesia
A sea cucumber (Bohadschia sp.) clings to a reef in Alor, Indonesia. This remote region is known for its beautiful reefs and spectacular marine biodiversity

A blue starfish on the seafloor of Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) lies on the sandy seafloor of Raja Ampat, Indonesia. This remote region is known as the heart of the Coral Triangle

Seascape of crinoids, Indonesia

Yellow criniod feather star balled up on the reefs edge in Fiji

Colorful soft corals adorn a reef in Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Colorful soft corals (Dendronephthya sp.) adorn a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A sea star clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Colorful crinoids aggregate on a healthy coral reef in Indonesia
Colorful crinoids aggregate on a healthy coral reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

A crown-of-thorns starfish on a reef in Indonesia
A crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) feeds on corals on a reef in Indonesia. This species clears space on reefs for other corals and invertebrates to colonize

Close-up image of a yellow crinoid on a Fijian reef

Striped snapping shrimp on a yellow crinoid, Indonesia
Striped snapping shrimp (Synalpheus striatus) on a yellow crinoid, Bunaken National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

A barrel sponge with a yellow crinoid attached, Papua New Guinea
A barrel sponge (Xestosongia testudinaria) attached to a reef wall on South Emma reef (Kimbe Bay) with a yellow crinoid attached, Papua New Guinea

A black and yellow Crinoid with diver and sunburst in background
A black and yellow Crinoid, with diver and sunburst in the background, Lembeh Strait, Indonesia

A crinoid on a bright red sea fan, Solomon Islands
A crinoid on a bright red sea fan with diver in the background, Solomon Islands

A colorful chocolate chip sea star on the seafloor of Indonesia
A colorful chocolate chip sea star (Protoreaster nodosus) lies on the sandy seafloor of Indonesia. This species of echinoderm is commonly found near seagrass meadows

Detail of a pin cushion starfish on a reef in Indonesia
Detail of a pin cushion starfish (Culcita sp.) on a reef in Indonesia

Colorful crinoids and soft corals adorn a reef in Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Colorful soft corals adorn the stunning reefs of southern Raja Ampat
Colorful soft corals (Dendronephthya sp.) adorn the stunning reefs of southern Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A colorful crinoid clings to a shallow reef in the Solomon Islands. This beautiful Melanesian region is known for its spectacular reefs and high marine biodiversity

Colorful starfish cover the bottom of a giant kelp forest off the coast of California. Kelp forests, which grow in temperate areas worldwide

Variable bushy feather star, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Variable bushy feather star (Comaster schlegelii) with boat in the background, Gorontalo, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Emperor shrimp on orange sea cucumber, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
Emperor shrimp on orange sea cucumber, Lembeh Strait, Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Close-up pattern of a giant sea cucumber (Thelenota ananas), Beqa Lagoon Fiji

Yellow sea fan in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

A West Indian starfish on the seafloor in Turneffe Atoll, Belize
A West Indian starfish (Oreaster reticulatus) crawls slowly across a sand and seagrass seafloor in Turneffe Atoll, Belize

Pair of orange gorgonian sea fan and black crinoid star with sunlight shining through, Derawan Islands, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

A dead table coral, now covered in healthy soft corals, taken at Neptune Fan Sea, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

A massive barrel sponge grows on a healthy coral reef near the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

Purple sea fan in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Detail on a giant basket star (Astroboa nuda) on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

Beige juvenile filefish hiding against a greenish sea cucumber
Beige juvenile filefish trying to hide against a greenish sea cucumber, Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia

A purple sea star clings to a diverse reef near the island of Bangka, Indonesia. This beautiful, tropical region is home to an incredible variety of marine life

A colorful crinoid in Komodo National Park, Indonesia
A colorful crinoid clings to a coral reef slope in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Purple and yellow sea fan in Raja Ampat, Indonesia

Diver swims by soft corals and crinoid, Fiji

A diver looks on at a group of crinoids, Raja Ampat, Indonesia
A diver looks on at a group of crinoids, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

The Salvador Dali sponge with intricate swirling surface pattern, Indonesia
A diver looks on at the Salvador Dali sponge (Petrosia lignosa) which only grows with this intricate swirling surface pattern in Gorontalo waters, Sulawesi, Indonesia

A large barrel sponge covered with crinoids in Lembeh Strait, Indonesia. This area is known for its spectacular marine biodiversity

A blue starfish clings to a barrel sponge in Indonesia
A blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) clings to barrel sponge in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This tropical region in Indonesia is known for its spectacular coral reefs and high marine biodiversity

Squid-like Orthoceratites attempt to make meals of trilobites
Squid-like Orthoceratites (genus Orthoceras) attempt to make meals of trilobites of the species Asaphus kowalewskii at the bottom of an Ordovician sea 480 million years ago

Tan Sea Star(Phataria unifascialis) GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador, South America

Panamic Cushion Star(Pentaceraster cummingi) GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador, South America

Chocolate Chip Starfish (Nidorelllia armata) GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador, South America

Sea Fan (Gorgonia) & Feather Star (Crinoidea), Rainbow Reef Fiji. South Pacific

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"Echinoderms: Fascinating Creatures of the Sea" Diving into the depths of the ocean, we encounter an extraordinary world filled with diverse marine life. Amongst them, echinoderms stand out as captivating creatures that never fail to amaze us. In Japan's Kagoshima Prefecture, a Male Leach's sea star steals the spotlight as it engages in broadcast spawning. With arms extended gracefully, it releases streams of sperm into the water, contributing to new life beneath the waves. This mesmerizing sight earned its well-deserved recognition as Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 - Underwater category winner. But let us not forget their ancient relatives who once roamed our oceans. Extinct marine reptiles ruled during a time long past, leaving behind remnants like crinoid fossils known as "Sea Lilies. " Discovered in Northern Germany from the Triassic period over 240 million years ago, these delicate fossils offer glimpses into Earth's prehistoric wonders. Moving forward to present-day marvels, we encounter sea cucumbers and starfish gracing sandy beaches worldwide. Their unique shapes and vibrant colors add charm to coastal landscapes while reminding us of nature's artistic touch. Delving deeper into history reveals St. Cuthberts Beads—a rosary crafted from crinoid columnals—an exquisite testament to human creativity intertwined with echinoderm beauty. Further exploration uncovers Pentrimites robustus and Tylocidaris clavigera—blastoids and sea urchins respectively—each showcasing intricate patterns etched by evolution itself. Venturing along rocky shores brings encounters with double spined urchins' anal sacks—a peculiar yet essential part of their anatomy that aids in maintaining balance within their watery habitat. As we journey across continents, common starfish grace Oxwich Bay in Gower South Wales UK while ochre & purple sea stars adorn Strawberry Hill State Park on the Oregon coast, Pacific Ocean, USA.