Echinoderm Collection (page 17)

Crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). The crown of thorns is a ravenous predator of corals, and a rapid rise in its numbers has led to the destruction of large areas of reef

Cushion starfish (Asterina gibbosa) exposed on rocks on the shore. Starfish inhabit marine environments and are generalist predators. Cushion starfish grow to no more than 5 centimetres in diameter

Brittle star on coral

Medusa worm sea cucumbers on a sponge
Medusa worm sea cucumbers (Synaptula lamperti) on the surface of a sponge. These worm-like sea cucumbers are echinoderms, relatives of the starfish

Black-saddle toby fish (Canthigaster valentini) between featherstar arms. Photographed in Bali, Indonesia

Crinoid fossil
Crinoid, or sea lily, fossil. This fossil is 480 million years old and was found in the Czech Republic

Daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata). The daisy brittle star lives on rocky sea floors from north-eastern Canada as far south as the north-eastern USA

Cardinalfish (Apogon sp.) sheltering in a crinoid. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Featherstar on a reef
Featherstar (crinoid) on a reef. Photographed in Moto Mount, Indonesia

Brittlestars on soft coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. spiny) and acoel flatworms (Waminoa sp. red) on soft coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Coral reef, Indonesia
Coral reef. Fusiliers (family Caesionidae) and surgeonfish (family Acanthuridae) swimming past featherstars (crinoids) on a reef in Moto Mount, Indonesia

Brittlestar on a reef
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestars on sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothela sp. spiny) on a purple sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Luzon starfish on the seabed
Luzon starfish (Echinaster luzonicus) on the seabed. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Fire urchin on a reef
Fire urchin (Asthenosoma ijimai) on a reef. This sea urchin has venomous spines and is able to inflict painful stings. Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Red urchin (Astropyga radiata). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Banded sea urchin on a reef
Banded sea urchin (Echinothrix calamaris, centre) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Fish on a starfish. Sandperch (Parapercis sp.) resting on the back of a luzon starfish (Echinaster luzonicus). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestar on soft coral
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on leather coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Echinoderm, 18th century

Elegant squat lobsters. Pair of elegant squat lobsters (Allogalathea elegans) perched at base of featherstar (crinoid). Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Starfish and sea squirts on a reef. Fromia nodosa starfish with sea squirts, soft corals and sponges on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Starfish in a mangrove swamp. Red starfish (class Asteroidea) and corals amongst mangrove (Rhizophora sp.) trees in a swamp on the edge of a coral reef

Harlequin shrimp on a starfish
Harlequin shrimp (Hymenocera picta, upper centre) on a mottled starfish (Linckia multifora). The harlequin shrimp turns live starfish upside-down, so that they can not get away

Blotcheye soldierfish on a reef
Blotcheye soldierfish (Myripristis berndti) swimming over a barrel sponge (centre) and featherstars (crinoids, stripy) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Sea cucumber and starfish. Burrowing sea cucumber (Neothyonidium magnum, centre) buried in the sand next to a granulated starfish (Choriaster granulatus, upper right)

Burrowing sea cucumber (Neothyonidium magnum, centre) buried deep in the sand. Only the tentacles of the sea cucumber, which it uses to feed, are above the sand

Graeffs sea cucumber

Sponge and featherstars on a reef
Sponge (phylum porifera, blue) and featherstars (crinoids, feathery) on a reef. Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Leopard sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus). Sea cucumbers are scavengers that travel across the sea bed using their tentacles to search for plankton and the remains of other animals

Soft coral and sea squirts

Graeffs sea cucumbers
Yellow sea cucumbers (Colochirus robustus) on an orange sponge. Sea cucumbers are scavengers that travel across the sea bed using their tentacles to search for plankton

Basket star (Astroboa nuda) on a reef. Basket stars are a species of brittle star. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish

Prehistoric brittle star fossils. Fossilised remains of Sinosaura kelheimense brittle stars from the Jurassic period (around 200-145 million years ago). Found in Bavaria, Germany

Luzon starfish regenerating its limbs

Necklace starfish and crinoid. Necklace starfish (Fromia monilis, centre) on a coral reef with a crinoid (order crinoidea, lower right). Photographed off Rinca island, Indonesia

Yellow sea cucumber (Colochirus robustus, yellow) on a sponge (orange). Photographed in Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Sea apple (Pseudocolochirus violaceus) on a reef. Sea apples are rounded sea cucumbers that feed by filtering sea water with their tentacled crown (fronds, upper centre)

Red seastar and seasquirts
Red seastar (Fromia milleporella) amongst seasquirts (Atriolum robustum) on a reef. Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Cushion seastar. Close-up of the underside of a cushion starfish (Culcita novaeguineae). Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Elegant seastar on a reef
Elegant seastar(Fromia nodosa) amongst corals on a reef. Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Blue seastar (Linckia laevigata) leaning against a sea fan (gorgonian coral) on a reef. Photographed in the Philippines

Marine life specimens

Granulated seastar (Choriaster granulatus) amongst corals on a reef. This starfish is found on coral reefs and sandy bottoms throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region

Red seastar (Fromia milleporella) amongst corals on a reef. Photographed off Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

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

Star fish (Henricia sp.). Photographed in the White Sea, Russia

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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.