Echinodermata Collection (page 9)

Common starfish feeding
Common starfish (Asterias rubens) feeding. The common starfish preys on other echinoderms, worms and molluscs. It is widespread in the north-east Atlantic and is common around Britain and Ireland

Brittlestars on gorgonian coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on gorgonian coral (red). Photographed at Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Long-spined sea urchin, (Diadema setosum) on a reef. Sea urchins feed mainly on algae, but will also eat invertebrates such as mussels, sponges and brittle stars. Photographed in Indonesia

Ink-spot sea squirts and featherstar
Ink-spot sea squirts (Polycarpa aurata, purple and yellow) and featherstar on a reef. Sea squirts, or tunicates, are sessile barrel-shaped animals that feed by filtering plankton from the water

Sea urchins montage. Composite image of a number of sea urchins

Featherstar montage. Composite image of a featherstar, or crionoid, showing its branching structure. Featherstars, feed by filtering food particles from the water using their feathery arms

Lyretail anthias fish
Lyretail anthias (Pseudanthias squamipinnis) fish amongst coral, sponges and crinoids. This fish is also known as the sea goldie

Cushion star starfish
Cushion star (Choriaster granulatus). This starfish is found on coral reefs and sandy bottoms throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from east Africa to the western Pacific Ocean

Crinoid and gorgonian anemones. Gorgonian wrappers (Nemanthus annamensis) are small anemones with white tentacles (lower frame) that can be seen wrapped around a large crinoid (centre)

Blue starfish (Linckia laevigata) on corals. This starfish is found in the Indo-Pacific region. Photographed off Komodo, Indonesia

Asteroidea organisms, artwork
Asteroidea organisms. Historical artwork showing various organisms in the class Asteroidea (starfish). This is the 40th plate from Ernst Haeckels Art Forms in Nature (1899)

Spiny sunstar on a rock. The spiny sunstar (Crossaster papposus) is type of starfish with relatively short arms. It can grow to around 30 centimetres in diameter

Brittle star in a crevice. Daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata) half-hidden in a crevice. The daisy brittle star lives on rocky sea floors from north-eastern Canada as far south as

Green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) on rocks. Sea urchins feed mainly on algae, but will also eat invertebrates such as mussels, sponges and brittle stars

Brittle star eating coral. Northern basket star (Gorgonocephalus arcticus, centre, yellow) wrapped around a soft coral (Gersemia fruticosa, white)

Featherstar on gorgonian coral. The featherstar is a marine invertebrate. It is an ancient and primitive echinoderm, a member of the group of invertebrates that includes the starfish

Green sea urchin spines. Close-up of the spines on a green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis). Sea urchins feed mainly on algae, but will also eat invertebrates such as mussels

Northern basket star (Gorgonocephalus arcticus) on the seabed. The northern basket star is a species of brittle star. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish

Featherstar. This marine invertebrate is an ancient and primitive echinoderm, a member of the group of invertebrates that includes the starfish

Brittle star on a sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. red) on a sea pen (Virgularia sp. purple). Sea pens are a type of octocoral. The brittle star is a marine invertebrate that is related to starfish

Common starfish feet. Close-up of the tip of a common starfishs (Asterias rubens) leg, showing a number of its tube feet. These tube feet are part of a water vascular system that aids in locomotion

Brittle star and collapsed sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. red) on a collapsed sea pen (Pteroeides sp. orange) in which a few porcelain crabs are hiding and a small fish is resting. Sea pens are a type of octocoral

Sea urchin and anemone. Northern red anemone (Urticina felina, upper right) and pale sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus pallidus, lower left) on rocks

Squid hiding in feather star. Juvenile of an unknown species of squid hiding within the arms of a feather star. Juvenile squid are capable of changing the colour of their skin from birth

Ventral view of Cushion Star showing pentameric pattern Tanzania
MAB-707 Ventral view of Cushion Star showing pentameric pattern Tanzania Mark Boulton Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in anyway

Red pencil urchin, (Heterocentrotus mammilattus), Blowhole, Oahu, Hawaii (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

Brittlestar (Species unknown) Oban, Scotland, UK. (RR)
Alan James / SplashdownDirect

Giant sea cucumber (Thelenota ananas), Rongelap, Marshall Islands (N. Pacific)
Andre Seale / SplashdownDirect

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"Echinodermata: A Fascinating Marine World Unveiled" Diving into the depths of Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan, we witness a mesmerizing spectacle. The Male Leach's sea star (Leiaster leachi) takes center stage as it engages in broadcast spawning, releasing streams of sperm from its arms. This captivating moment has earned it the prestigious title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2022 - Underwater category winner. But echinoderms have a rich history that stretches far beyond this contemporary marvel. From ancient marine reptiles that once roamed our oceans to delicate sea cucumbers gracefully navigating their surroundings, these creatures have left an indelible mark on Earth's evolutionary timeline. Venturing onto sandy shores, we stumble upon a starfish basking in the warmth of sunlight. Its presence reminds us of the diverse forms and colors exhibited by these enchanting beings. And let us not forget St. Cuthberts Beads – rosaries crafted from crinoid columnals – symbolizing both religious devotion and nature's intricate beauty. Delving further into history, we encounter Pentrimites robustus and Tylocidaris clavigera – fossils frozen in time as blastoids and sea urchins respectively. Their preserved remains offer glimpses into prehistoric ecosystems that once thrived beneath ancient seas. The anal sack of a double-spined urchin captures our attention next, highlighting the intricacies hidden within even seemingly mundane aspects of echinoderm anatomy. These fascinating structures serve vital functions within their underwater realm. Traveling across continents to Strawberry Hill State Park along Oregon's Pacific coast, Ochre & Purple Sea Stars emerge from tidal zones like vibrant jewels adorning rocky landscapes. Their presence is a testament to resilience amidst shifting tides and changing environments.