cool-critters:Royal starfish (Astropecten articulatus)The royal starfish is a West Atlantic sea star
cool-critters:Royal starfish (Astropecten articulatus)The royal starfish is a West Atlantic sea star of the family Astropectinidae.The species of starfish Astropecten articulatus, commonly known as the Royal Starfish is characterized by its bold colors. It has a purple granulated disk, which is the central region of the sea star, and the purple color continues to extend to its five flat rays, which are its arms. A. articulatus feeds by swallowing its food whole and digesting it in its stomach, like other members of the genus Astropecten. However, unlike other species in the same genus, A. articulatus consumes significantly more organisms.A. articulatus also feeds on a diverse number of organisms. photo credits: Mark Walz -- source link