Starfish, or sea stars as they are also called, are fascinating creatures that can be found on shallow seabeds and reefs all over the world.

Despite their popularity and widespread distribution, we know very little about their ecology. In this article, we will explore some interesting facts about starfish, their physical characteristics, and the threats they face in our oceans.

Firstly, it is important to note that starfish are not true fish, even though they live in water. They lack gills, scales, and fins, and move differently from fish. Instead, they use tiny tube feet to help them move at great speeds.

There are about 2,000 species of starfish, with some living in the intertidal zone and others in the deep sea. Most starfish live in the tropics, but they can also be found in colder regions and even in polar regions.

One of the most distinctive features of starfish is their Pentaradial symmetry, which means they have five arms. However, not all starfish have only five arms, and some species have as many as 50 arms. The starfish's mouth is in the middle of the lower side of its body, which can directly contact the surface of the object the starfish has crawled over.

Starfish come in a variety of sizes and colors, with body sizes ranging from as small as 2.5 centimeters to as large as 90 centimeters. The most common colors of starfish are yellow, red, purple, and green.

Starfish are covered with "monitors," which are tiny crystals growing on the echinoderm skin of starfish. Each crystal can function as an eye, acting like a perspective mirror that captures important information about the surrounding environment.

The light-gathering performance of these crystals is impressive, allowing starfish to observe information from all directions simultaneously. This unique visual system could potentially lead to breakthroughs in optical and printing technologies if imitated by humans.

One of the most remarkable abilities of starfish is their capacity for regeneration. If a starfish is torn into several pieces and thrown into the sea, each piece can quickly regenerate the lost part, eventually growing into several new starfish.

For example, a sand starfish retaining a centimeter of the arm can grow a whole new starfish. Some starfish are even more capable, with a stump of an arm able to grow into a completely new starfish. After being damaged, the wrist of a starfish can regenerate naturally. Any part of a starfish can regenerate a new starfish.

When it comes to reproduction, starfish can be male, female, or both. Most starfish are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs, but some are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young.

Fertilization in starfish is done outside the body, with males releasing sperm into the water and females releasing eggs. After fertilization, the eggs hatch inside the mother's body.

Despite their unique features, starfish are facing threats from human activities that are impacting marine ecosystems. Overfishing and ocean pollution have reduced the starfish's habitat and food sources, causing their population to decline.

Therefore, the protection of starfish and marine ecosystems is becoming increasingly important.

Starfish are intriguing creatures with unique characteristics that make them stand out in the ocean. Although we still have much to learn about their ecology, we must prioritize their protection and that of the marine ecosystems they inhabit. By doing so, we can continue to marvel at the beauty and wonder of these amazing sea creatures for generations to come.