#astropecten polyacanthus

[bitch-dont-krill-my-vibe]

Sand sifting starfish

Astropecten polyacanthus is known by many names -  sand sifting starfish, comb sea star and spiny sea star. It grows up to 13 cm, is found in the Indo-Pacific region, and has arms lined with sharp, comb-like spines which are used for protection.

Interesting fact: it produces the same neurotoxin (Tetrodotoxin) as pufferfish, porcupine fish and triggerfish. This was discovered after a Japanese man suffered paralytic poisoning after eating a trumpet shell which had acquired the toxin via predation of the sea star.

Images: 1) Aboral surface of sea star  2) Oral surface of sea star  All Images taken at Middle Harbour 19/11/2018

References: Cork, J. (2015). Astropecten polyacanthus. [online] Australian Museum. Available at: https://australianmuseum.net.au/astropecten-polyacanthus-mller-troschel-1842 

Narita, H., Matsubara, S., Miwa, N., Akahane, S., Murakami, M., Goto, T., Nara, M., Noguchi, T., Saito, T., Shida, Y. and Hashimoto, K., 1987. Vibrio alginolyticus, a TTX-producing bacterium isolated from the starfish Astropecten polyacanthus. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi, 53(4), pp.617-621.

[aticketplz]

こんなに踏んだらいけない形状なのにそのうえテトロドトキシンもってるらしいぜ!!

@名古屋港水族館

[namakos]

Astropecten polyacanthus / トゲモミジガイ

Astropecten polyacanthus

Astropecten polyacanthus It is found in the Indo-Pacific. The Astropecten polyacanthus is inedible because it has tetrodotoxin which is known as fugu poison.

トゲモミジガイ 西太平洋からインド洋に生息。 体内にフグ毒と同じテトロドトキシンを持っているので食べられません。

Animalia Echinodermata Asteroidea Paxillosida Astropectinidae 動物界 棘皮動物門 ヒトデ綱 モミジガイ目 モミジガイ科 The photo taken at Awashima Marine Park, Kanagawa, Japan.