1. By: Jessica Fahey, Rebekah Leslie, Christina Kelly

2.  +2000 Species  Also known as Sea Stars or Star fish  Echinoderms  Marine Animals  No fresh Water Sea Stars  Carnivore  Few Fossils INTRODUCTION

3.  Ordovician period  Somasteroidea  Extinction Events  Diversified rapidly  Speciation  Currently 7 living groups of sea stars EVOLUTION OF THE TAXON

4.  Spiny Skin  Tube feet  Arms  Central Disk PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

5. BEHAVORIAL CHARACTERISTICS  Slow Moving  Feet provide suction  Rock pools and beaches  Brackish water  Camouflage Adaptation

6.  Egg and Sperm  External Fertilization – free spawning  Rapid metamorphose into adults  Ability to Regenerate  5-34 year life span LIFE CYCLE

7.  1cm to 3 feet  weigh up to 11 lbs.  Complete regeneration  4-30 Arms  Brainless  Bloodless  Not blind FUN FACTS

8.  Mah, Christopher (2012). "Notomyotida". World Register of Marine Species.  "Echinodermata: Spiny-skinned animals: sea urchins, starfish, and their allies". Tree of Life web project.  Mah, Christopher (2012). "Notomyotida". World Register of Marine Species.  Hansson, Hans (2013). "Asteroidea". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2013-07-1 SOURCES