A granulated sea star (Choriaster granulatus) at Madrid zoo and aquarium, Spain. The granulated sea star is a species of starfish. It is the only species in the genus Choriaster, feeds on algae and detritus and occurs on rubble slopes and on coral reefs. It lacks a centralised brain but has a complex nervous system with a nerve ring around the mouth and a radial nerve running along the ambulacral region of each arm parallel to the radial canal
Photograph: Jorge Sanz/Corbis (via The week in wildlife – in pictures | Environment | theguardian.com)
What they don’t mention is the fact that this species’ ambulacra extend up onto the aboral tips of the arms and make them look a lot like penises. Definitely the best way to recognize this particular star.
