The Surface Interval: Sea Stars, Cuttlefish, and Other Deep Sea Oddities

Seeing Stars in the Deep Sea

Sea stars are arguably one of the most fascinating creatures to ever crawl the ocean floor. Rather than pumping blood through their bodies, they have what’s known as a “water vascular system,” which continually pumps seawater to their suction-cupped arms. But just when we thought sea star anatomy couldn’t get any more fascinating, a team of scientists have discovered some new startling sea star facts. Apparently, some species of deep-sea stars possess photoreceptive eyes at the tip of each arm. While the knowledge of sea stars having eyes on the tips of their arms is itself not a new discovery, the fact that deep-sea species have eyes is particularly interesting, evolutionarily speaking. As the article from the New York Times explains, “most fish and crustaceans (in the deep sea) lose their eyes and rely on other senses.” Simply put, there’s no apparent need to expend energy trying to interpret visual information, as the deep sea is so obviously void of light. The exception remains, however, for creatures with bioluminescence, or the ability to create their own light. Click here to navigate your way through the dark world of abyssal zone sea stars and learn some more sea star facts. (And while you’re at it – don’t call them “starfish,” ahem…New York Times… – fish are vertebrates, and sea stars are invertebrates; a substantial taxonomic differentiation – this is science, after all.) Image Credit: Olga Zimina, Greenland Institute of Natural Resources

Exploring the Unknown

And last but certainly not least, scientists are now pushing into previously unexplored ecosystems thanks to incredible advances in modern technology, and the resulting photographs of invertebrate life below are ASTONISHING. I don’t use that word lightly, but it’s entirely likely that many of the species seen during this voyage were undescribed. To anyone who doesn’t believe that the ocean is truly the last unexplored frontier, take a look at these photographs taken by scientists exploring the ocean: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/10/first-images-of-creatures-from-antarctic-depths-revealed Photograph: Christian Åslund/Greenpeace

What interesting Marine Biology news have you seen bobbing around lately? Do you have any sea star facts or cuttlefish facts you’d like to share with us? Send it to us at [email protected] with the title “The Surface Interval” & let’s nerd-out together with some facts about cuttlefish, sea star anatomy, or anything that lives under the sea!  Until then, look at the horizon, take a giant stride forward, and dive, dive, dive!