Facts about brittle star animals are one of the interesting things you can know. There are various facts about brittle star animals that not everyone knows. The existence of facts from marine animals can certainly add insight into various types of animals. So you can find out more clearly and in detail about brittle star animals.
Fragile Star Animal Facts, Marine Animals That Have No Brain
Brittle star animals do have a similar appearance to sea stars. However, despite their similar appearance, they are not the same species.
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This marine animal moves with flexible arms. While sea stars will use tube feet attached to their arms to move.
Brittle stars will use a single opening for consumption and excretion because their digestive system is not yet developed.
Then the starfish will use separate digestive and excretory systems. You can find this animal in shallow water areas. Due to the large number of habitats, these marine animals are easy to find.
Starting from tropical waters to temperate waters, you will easily find this fragile star animal. Not only that, in the polar regions you can also find this unique animal. Even in brackish waters there are also fragile star animals.
Appeared on Earth in the Early Ordovician Era
There is one fact that animal brittle stars appeared on Earth at the beginning of the Ordovician era. The Ordovician era, which occurred about 500 million years ago, was the beginning of brittle stars appearing on Earth.
Brittle stars are one of the oldest groups of animals that lived between 478.6 and 644 million years ago.
However, until now there are not many fossils from brittle stars. That’s because he died quickly because his partner ate while still alive. Scientists estimate that there are more than 3,000 species of brittle stars.
Small Body Anatomy
Brittle star animals have a small body anatomy. The size of this brittle star is only a few inches and not big.
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The arms of this marine animal are quite long and slender. While at the bottom of the body there will be a tube that looks like a starfish.
However, the brittle star tube has no suction cup. These animals also have a water vascular system with tube feet filled with water.
The organs of a brittle star will be located in the central disk. Uniquely, this animal has no brain, but has a large stomach. The brittle star has muscles and a mouth with five jaws.
On the animal’s arm, there will be a plate of calcium carbonate. The arms of these marine animals are not as flexible as starfish. Even so, the movement of animals can be faster by pressing a narrow space.
The Reproductive System of a Brittle Star
The next fragile star animal fact is visible from its reproduction. You will not easily distinguish these marine animals between males and females. Later female brittle stars will produce eggs and hatch then turn into larvae.
Brittle star larva or ophiopluteus will swim free. Furthermore, the animal larvae will settle to the bottom to form a complete animal. There are some animals that will not incubate cubs.
Brittle stars also have another way to reproduce, namely fission. Later the brittle star must divide the central disk into two parts. Later, the results of the release will become these two unique marine animals.
Plankton’s main food
Brittle stars have their main food, namely plankton animals. Animals in deep waters are the main food of plankton animals, namely detritus. When they get food, these marine animals will raise their arms and then fish or plankton will come closer.
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Later the food prey will be trapped, then the brittle star eats. In addition, brittle stars will also filter food that will enter their bodies first.
So, that was a review of some fragile star animal facts that you should know. Although similar to sea stars, brittle stars are much different. Brittle star is indeed one of the marine animals that has an interesting uniqueness. (R10/HR-Online)
2023-07-29 15:08:18
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