Stuffed Animals

     Starfish express pentamerism, that is, pentaradial symmetry. Most starfish have five rays or arms that radiate from a central disk, although several species frequently have six or more arms. At the end of each arm or ray, there is a microscopic eye, known as ocellus that helps the starfish to differentiate between light and dark, which is useful to see movement. The bodies of starfish are composed of ossicles, which are made of calcium carbonate. These form the endoskeleton, which takes on various forms that are externally expressed as a variety of structures, like spines and granules. The architecture and individual shape or form of these plates which occur in specific patterns or series, as well as their location are the source of morphological data that is used to classify the different groups within the Asteroidea. The terminology referring to body location in starfish anatomy is usually based in reference to the mouth to avoid an incorrect assumption of homology between the dorsal and ventral surfaces in other bilateral animals. Thus, the bottom surface is referred to as the oral or the actinal surface, whereas the top surface is referred to as the aboral or abactinal side.

     The madreporite is a structure that can be easily identified as a light-colored circle, located slightly off center on the central disk. This is a porous plate whose function is, at least in part, to provide additional water for the animal’s needs, including replenishing water to the vascular system. Something that is peculiar to starfish anatomy is what is known as pedicellariae. These are small bear-trap or valve-like structures that are seen in certain groups. These can occur all over the body or may occur in tufts at the base of each spine. These structures are thought to act as defense whereas others have been seen to aid in feeding. Some species even use these structures to capture and kill prey. Read more on interesting facts about starfish.

     Starfish Internal Anatomy Read the rest of this entry »

     Physical Appearance
     Deep sea anglerfish has a ferocious look, though it’s not too big in size. This ugly fish has earned the name of ‘common black devil’ due to its unsightly appearance. What gives the fish its terrible look is its large mouth with the sharp, fang like teeth. The teeth of anglerfish can look even more intimidating than the teeth of the sharks. This ugly fish has a round body that looks like a basketball. Deep sea anglerfish can reach only a length of about 12 cm.

     The body of anglerfish can be dark gray, brown or black in color, and the skin can reflect the blue light. This in turn, helps it to remain invisible to other deep sea fish and animals, as almost all bioluminescent fish or creatures of the deep sea emit blue light. The eyes of the deep sea anglerfish are too small. The fish possesses one, or more of such long filaments, that sprung from the center of its head. These are the modified spines of the anterior dorsal fin, but they look like filaments. Usually, the longest filament is the first spine or illicium, that protrudes above the eyes, and then terminates in an irregular mass of flesh at the tip of the spine, which is called ‘esca’. This serves as a lure for the anglerfish, which can be moved back and forth. The spine attached to the lure is also movable. Learn more about deep ocean fish.

     Predation
     As has been mentioned already, the anglerfish has an extraordinary mode of predation. It basically uses its lure, which emits light to attract its prey. While remaining motionless, it waves its lure back and forth, and waits for the prey to come closer to its mouth. The specialized spine attached to the lure can also be moved by the fish in any direction. Moreover, the ‘esca’ is connected with the mouth reflex, so that when the prey touches it, the anglerfish can instantly snap the prey with the powerful jaw and then swallow it. The teeth of the fish are bent inwards, for which the prey cannot escape once its enters the mouth of the anglerfish. Anglerfish can swallow a prey twice the size of its body, as it can distend its jaw and stomach. This is because, the bones of this fish are thin and flexible, due to which the fish can extend its jaw and the stomach to an incredible size. So, deep sea anglerfish catches its prey with the help of light emitted from the esca. This bioluminescence is the result of the large number of bacteria that enter the esca, and produce a bluish or greenish light. Read the rest of this entry »

     In the present times, clownfish is one of the most popular fishes of the seas, thanks to its portrayal in the motion picture Finding Nemo. Even before the movie was made, the clownfish impressed every man who saw it. With its bright colors that are contrasted with the white vertical streaks, these fishes are a sight to behold. Clownfishes are mostly found in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea. They are popular inhabitants of the coral reefs.They get their name from their bright colors and active disposition. People may mistake these fishes to be little, bright fishes that are harmless. However, the fact is that a clownfish has a very aggressive temperament. It is known to guard its territory viciously. These are omnivores that eat algae, plankton, molluscs, when in the ocean. In aquariums they eat fish flakes and fish pellets.

     Sea Anemone

     Although, it won’t be wrong to call a sea anemone ‘the flower of the sea’, in reality it is a carnivorous animal of the salty waters. It is a polyp, that has poisonous tentacles with which it injects poison into its prey and kills it. Read the rest of this entry »