Forbes' Sea Star feeding on a mussel bed
Asterias forbesi
As members of the Echinoderm Phylum, these spiny skinned animals have radial symmetry as adults and use a water-vascular system for movement and food getting. Water enters through the madreporite on their dorsal (top) side, travels down each arm, and into "tube feet". Located on their ventral side (along with their mouth), rows of tube feet act as suction cups which work together to pull open the shells of bivalves. The sea star then inverts its stomach out of its mouth, secretes digestive enzymes, and finally ingests its meal.
Asterias forbesi
As members of the Echinoderm Phylum, these spiny skinned animals have radial symmetry as adults and use a water-vascular system for movement and food getting. Water enters through the madreporite on their dorsal (top) side, travels down each arm, and into "tube feet". Located on their ventral side (along with their mouth), rows of tube feet act as suction cups which work together to pull open the shells of bivalves. The sea star then inverts its stomach out of its mouth, secretes digestive enzymes, and finally ingests its meal.
Forbes' Sea Star feeding on a mussel bed
Asterias forbesi
As members of the Echinoderm Phylum, these spiny skinned animals have radial symmetry as adults and use a water-vascular system for movement and food getting. Water enters through the madreporite on their dorsal (top) side, travels down each arm, and into "tube feet". Located on their ventral side (along with their mouth), rows of tube feet act as suction cups which work together to pull open the shells of bivalves. The sea star then inverts its stomach out of its mouth, secretes digestive enzymes, and finally ingests its meal.
Asterias forbesi
As members of the Echinoderm Phylum, these spiny skinned animals have radial symmetry as adults and use a water-vascular system for movement and food getting. Water enters through the madreporite on their dorsal (top) side, travels down each arm, and into "tube feet". Located on their ventral side (along with their mouth), rows of tube feet act as suction cups which work together to pull open the shells of bivalves. The sea star then inverts its stomach out of its mouth, secretes digestive enzymes, and finally ingests its meal.
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