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Sea Stars: A Scallop’s Worst Nightmare
January 27, 2020
Astropecten vs Sclerasterias (same family as Asterias, different genus): the smaller Astropecten target young scallops, while the Asterias/Sclerasterias target larger scallops.
Photo: Trevor Hance
Natural predators of scallops include various species of starfish, such as Astropecten and Asterias. These starfish use distinct predatory tools. The larger starfish, the Asterias, has a hydrologic musculature that allows it to essentially pull apart the shell of the scallop, inject digestive enzymes (aka – “putting its stomach inside the scallop”) and enjoy! The Astropecten is quite different because they completely engulf the scallop and digest it internally. The two types of starfish target different-aged scallops.Read the blog post
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5 photos for sea star · Clear
Sea Stars: A Scallop’s Worst NightmareJanuary 27, 2020
Here Comes the Sun (Star)December 16, 2019
Some sea stars for the holiday sea-son!December 26, 2016Some sea stars for the holiday sea-son!December 26, 2016
Starfish, or sea stars, inhabit tidal areas where there are lots of clams for them to eat.July 18, 2016