Asterias vulgaris with three regenerating rays. And
just look at that lovely orange madreporite. (From Martinez's Marine
Life of the North Atlantic.)
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Among the amazing abilities of starfish is a remarkable talent for regeneration. A starfish that loses a ray can grow a whole new one, given time. Most species can only regenerate if the central part of the body is intact, but a few species can grow back even from a single ray. Those species, like Linckia, will regenerate several whole starfish from a single starfish that gets torn apart. |
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Asterias vulgaris with three regenerating rays. And
just look at that lovely orange madreporite. (From Martinez's Marine
Life of the North Atlantic.)
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Linckia regenerating five rays from a single surviving ray. Specimens like this are often called "comets." |
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Last updated January 26, 2000.
