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Acanthaster Planci Crown of Thorns Starfish
Kingdom : Animalia
Class : Asteroidea
Order : Valvatida
Phylum: Echinodermata
family : Acanthasteridae
genus : Acanthaster
Species :
Taxonomy
family : Acanthasteridae
genus : Acanthaster
Species : Acanthaster Planci
Taxonomy
They are commonly found on coral reefs ,foraging over coral colonies in shallow protected areas of the back reef
Habitat
It feeds by a method called eversion . This is when the gastric folds of the stomach membrane are forced through its mouth and turned inside out , smothering the coral .It then secretes digestive enzymes onto the coral absorbing the digested tissues of its prey externally .
Mode of Feeding
A single female crown of thorns starfish can lay up to 60 million eggs in a breeding season .They have the highest rates of fertilization recorded in any invertebrate.This means if a small population is struggling , they can potentially produce lots of offspring
Mode of reproduction
Crown of Thorns starfish generally start off with symmetry in its life , but when it reaches adulthood they are found to be with radial symmetry
Symmetry
The crown of thorns starfish mean of locomotion are cilia and tube feet.They can move 35 cm/min.Each of its appendages contain many tube feet that contain cilia that helps it move .
Locomotion
Even though I know all of you are sad this is not the starfish we all know as The Great Dumb One named Patrick Star, there are some cool things about the Crown Of Thorns .
Fun Facts
They have between 7 to 23 arms .They are know as the second largest starfish in the world.They are nocturnal creatures All arms are covered with venomous thorns aka the reason why they have their name.
Fun Facts
Crown of Thorns can eat up to 6 square meters of coral each year . The only thing Crown Of Thorns have in common with Patrick Star is they both can eat a lot .
Fun Facts
They are damaging creatures of tropical coral reefs .A single individual can wipe out large areas this way.But they have predators( fish ,mollusks ,and worms ) to help tame them .
Fun Facts( Not really )
