Species1...

Common name: Spotted linckia starfish

Scientific name: Linckia multifora

Description: The Linckia or comet star has radial symmetry, five arms and a mottled red coloration on a generally cream-colored body. They are distributed in the Indo-Pacific region living in rocky or coral habitats. Sea stars have an intricate water vascular system allowing the tube feet of the sea star locomotion via water pressure. They are omnivores, feeding on both algae and invertebrates. They are a rather small species reaching lengths of only 10 cm.

Fun Facts:

a. Sea stars are fascinating due to their ability to regenerate limbs! The Linckia star specifically is able to regenerate even after four of its five arms have been eaten or destroyed! This is the reason for its other common name, the comet star, since it looks like a comet when it only has one large arm and four small nubs.

b. Sea stars seem almost like alien life due to their feeding behavior. They will extrude their stomach or guts outside of their body and cover their prey. This way it is able to digest its food outside its body!

Species2...

Scientific name: Hymenocera pictaCommon name: Harlequin shrimp

Scientific name: Hymenocera picta

Description: Somewhere around only one inch in length, this shrimp may be diminutive in size but not might. The Harlequin shrimp love to feed on live sea stars. The shrimp will approach a sea star and using their large pinchers will detach the sucker-like tube feet from rocks and other hard surfaces. To flip the arm onto its back, the shrimp will do ahandstand on top of the arm and land on its feet to flip it over. Then they will begin to feed on the soft tissue lying just below the tube feet. They are able to feed off one sea star for days. In the middle of feeding, harlequin shrimp have been observed gathering food and then feeding it to the sea star to keep it alive while it continues to feed on its tissues. The Harlequin is easily identified by its bright red, purple and sometimes white colored spots on top of its cream colored body. They are found in the Indo-Pacific region.

Fun Facts:

a. Harlequin shrimp have a great sense of smell, finding sea stars with ease by use of their antennae

b. They are always found in mating pairs, a female and a male, hanging about coral or rocky crevices.