Week 1: Understanding Sea Stars

Welcome back to my blog!

Throughout week one I have conducted a literature review of sea stars. I am doing this to prepare for my visit to my internship in California. This step is vital because I feel as if it is crucial to obtain a rudimentary understanding of Sea Stars before I visit Moss Landing Marine Labs. I sourced an article online titled: The Sea Stars (Echinodermata: Asteroidea): Their Biology, Ecology, Evolution and Utilization.

Sea stars’, otherwise known as Asteroidea, structure is related to the their regeneration. Specifically, the limbs grow from the central disc which is in the center of the sea star. Surprisingly, sea stars can completely grow back with one limb as long as the central disc is attached.

The central disc plays an important role in regeneration, which is critical for the future of my project. Another important thing I learned pertains to sea stars reproduction. Most sea stars reproduce sexually, however, some reproduce asexually. In the asexual reproduction the sea stars central discs go through fusion to create a new sea star. 

Those were just a few things I wanted to point out for this blog because I found them particularly interesting. I am thrilled for my upcoming trip to California to enhance my understanding and passion for this subject.

Stay tuned for next weeks blog!