ID on a sea star anyone? NC native.

[wadeNC]

A friend found this near Morehead City, NC this weekend. Anyone provide an ID for it by any chance? At least a Genus name?

http://evansnc.com/gallery/index.ph...RadioIsland_Catch_Aug1.2004/&pic=DSCF0003.JPG

Thanks!

 

[RIOceanographer]

It looks like Asterias forbesi.

Aka Forbes sea star.

Here are a couple of links I found with Google with pictures for you to compare.

http://www.mbl.edu/marine_org/marine_org.php?func=detail&myID=BX819&source_myID=BX819

http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/s...pID=8&shapeID=1072&curPageNum=3&recnum=SC0069

 

[Dessari]

This does appear to be a Forbes Sea Star.

Out of curiosity why did your friend feel the need to take it out of the water?

Please leave our marine life where you found it. Things that are alive should be left for everyone to enjoy. If you feel the need to take something please only take things that are dead - ie empty shells. Just think what would happen if every diver took a "souvenir" every time they got into the water. What would happen?

Dessari

 

[wadeNC]

FYI- This was placed into a well tended aquarium that is stocked only with native species. I can appreciate the judgement for 'leave it as you found it', but without the know-how to assist the native populations in a time of crisis, need of replinishment, or (more pertinent) habitat creation/preservation, we will be stalled. I am an avid environmentalist, but there is a level of consumption everwhere.

Don't worry though, it wasn't left to dry in the sun as a "souvenier".

Wade