Starfish Classification, Features, and How to Remember Its Scientific Name
Different species are named on the basis of binomial nomenclature. The binomial nomenclature consists of two names that are derived from Latin. But in some other cases, nomenclature names can be derived from other languages too. This name is termed a binomial name or a scientific name. Every first part of the name provides information about the generic name or genus to which organism belongs whereas the second part tells us about species name, i.e., the identification by which we can differentiate organisms from others. There are certain rules that have to be followed for writing the binomial nomenclature name. The Genus name should always be written in capital letters while species in small letters.
Why is a Scientific Name Considered a Better One?
Criteria of writing or naming living beings on the basis of their scientific origin, which is composed of two parts, is known as binomial nomenclature. Let us analyse an example: the scientific name of human beings is Homo sapiens. With the help of scientific names, one can easily identify scientists and other researchers to accurately identify individual species along with that it also helps people all over the world to communicate unambiguously about animal species as these are unique names and can not be changed with respect to area, location, or region.
Rules of Binomial Nomenclature:
To give unique identification, biologists across the world follow a unique set of principles for naming organisms. For this unique identification process, two codes were set up for naming organisms, they are as follows:
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature: It is used for naming the plants and their species.
International Code of Zoological Nomenclature: It is used for nominal animals and their species.
By using these codes, we can name the organisms with a unique identification. Binomial nomenclature follows certain conventions. Each scientific name has two parts: the generic name and specific epithet.
The following are the rest of the binomial nomenclature rules for writing scientific names of organisms:
All species' scientific names are usually Latin. As a result, they are italicised.
A name is made up of two components. The genus is identified by the first term, while the species is identified by the second word.
If the names are handwritten, they are underlined, and if typed, they are in italics. This is done to indicate that it is of Latin origin.
The genus name begins with a capital letter, while the species name begins with a small letter.
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About Starfish
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Starfish belong to the phylum Echinodermata And they are totally a marine organism as till now there is no evidence that they belong to terrestrial or freshwater. They are multicellular in nature and have a well-developed organ system. Mainly they are colourful in nature with star shape along with that they have their own ecological and geological importance. They have a water vascular system for gaseous exchange processes and for circulation processes also.
They are Capable of Regenerating Their Own Arms: Regeneration is the gift to starfish, where it loses its arms when it gets attacked by a predator.
They Lack in Blood and Brain: As the seawater pumps throughout the body it acts as circulation, and the required nutrients are provided through water, which helps them to save space for the blood system.
They have Tough Skin: Starfish’s outer layer is made up of calcium carbonate, which makes the skin tougher and difficult for predators to attack.
Starfish Contain Eyes: They contain eyes at the end of their arms, they are capable of detecting the several kinds of light that help them for navigation.
Starfishes are carnivorous, detritivorous, and scavenging.
The most common starfishes are Brisingida, Forcipulatida, Notomyotide, Velatida, Valvatida, and Spinuloside.
Features of Starfish:
Some of the common features of starfish are as follows:
They have radial symmetry but in the larval stage, they have bilateral symmetry.
Their exoskeleton is calcareous in nature.
In them, they have a special water vascular system, which mainly helps in the circulation process.
Their body development is indirect and they are dioecious in nature.
Classification of Starfish:
The scientific name of starfish is Asterias Rubens.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroidea
Order: Forcipulatida
Family: Asteriidae
Genus: Asterias
Species: Rubens
Multiple Choice Questions:
Among the given names of animals, which of the following does not belong to the Phylum Echinodermata?
Starfish
Eocrinoidea
Sea cucumber
Chiton
Ans: Chiton
Explanation: Chitons are mollusks that belong to the Polyplacophora class, which was previously known as Amphineura. Chiton belongs to the Mollusca phylum, not the Echinodermata phylum.
2. Starfish has which kind of symmetry?
Radial symmetry
Bilateral symmetry
Asymmetrical
None of these
Ans. Radial symmetry.
Explanation: Sea stars are just like stars, with no head, tail, or arms. Key functions are coordinated at the core of the sea star's body, then passed down the arms, based on five-part radial symmetry (though some sea stars have many more arms). There are short tentacles that help the sea star collect oxygen from the surrounding water.
Conclusion
Starfishes are the most beautiful animals in the ocean. They are said to be the most important members of the marine environment. It also plays a very impactful role in the ecosystem. They are also considered as keystone species that consumes the organism which lacks their natural predators. They lack blood and brain, even then they can digest their food easily outside their body.
FAQs on Scientific Name of Starfish: Explained for Students
1. What is the scientific name of a common starfish?
The scientific name for the common starfish is Asterias rubens. This name is used globally by scientists to ensure every species has a single, unique name, avoiding the confusion that can arise from common names like 'sea star'.
2. What is the complete taxonomic classification of a starfish?
The taxonomic classification of the starfish (Asterias rubens) follows a specific hierarchy, which helps in understanding its relationship with other organisms:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Class: Asteroidea
- Order: Forcipulatida
- Family: Asteriidae
- Genus: Asterias
- Species: rubens
3. Why is the scientific name Asterias rubens written in italics, and what do the two parts signify?
The scientific name Asterias rubens is written in italics to adhere to the universal rules of binomial nomenclature. This system gives each species a two-part name:
- The first part, Asterias, represents the genus and is always capitalised.
- The second part, rubens, is the specific epithet (or species name) and is always in lowercase.
Together, they form a unique scientific name that is understood worldwide.
4. What are the main characteristics of starfish?
Starfish, or sea stars, have several key characteristics that define them:
- They exhibit radial symmetry as adults, usually with five arms extending from a central disc.
- Their body is covered by a spiny, calcareous exoskeleton which gives them a rough texture.
- They possess a unique water vascular system which they use for moving around and capturing food.
- They have hundreds of tiny tube feet on their underside that function using hydraulic pressure.
- They have a remarkable ability to regenerate lost or damaged arms.
5. Why are starfish classified under Phylum Echinodermata and not as fish?
Despite the common name 'starfish', they are not fish at all. They are classified in Phylum Echinodermata because their biology is fundamentally different from fish (Phylum Chordata). Fish have backbones, gills, scales, and fins. In contrast, starfish lack these features and instead have a spiny skin (the name 'Echinodermata' means 'spiny-skinned'), a water vascular system instead of blood for circulation, and radial symmetry.
6. How do starfish move and capture prey without a centralized brain?
Starfish operate using a decentralised nerve net and a hydraulic water vascular system, which removes the need for a controlling brain. They coordinate their hundreds of tiny, flexible tube feet on their underside. By precisely controlling water pressure within these feet, a starfish can extend and retract them in a coordinated wave. This allows it to 'walk' across the seafloor and apply a powerful, steady grip to pry open the shells of its prey, like mussels and clams.
7. Do starfish have blood? If not, how do they circulate nutrients?
No, starfish do not have blood. Their circulatory functions are performed by the water vascular system. This intricate network of canals circulates seawater throughout the starfish's body. This process is responsible for transporting vital nutrients and oxygen to different tissues and also for removing metabolic waste products, effectively serving the role that blood plays in other animals.
8. What is the importance of the water vascular system in starfish?
The water vascular system is a highly specialised and crucial feature for starfish and other echinoderms, as it performs multiple essential functions:
- Locomotion: It powers the hydraulic action of the tube feet, enabling movement.
- Respiration: It facilitates gas exchange, allowing oxygen from the seawater to diffuse into the body.
- Food Capture: The suction created by the tube feet helps in gripping and opening prey.
- Circulation: It acts as the primary circulatory system, distributing nutrients throughout the body.
9. Can a starfish regenerate its entire body from a single arm? Explain the biological process.
Yes, some starfish species can regenerate a complete new body from a single arm, but only if the detached arm contains a sufficient portion of the central disc. The central disc is critical because it houses the main nervous and digestive tissues. The process of regeneration involves stem-like cells that multiply and differentiate to rebuild all the lost parts, including the other arms and the central disc, eventually forming a complete, genetically identical individual.
10. What are the main codes that govern how organisms like starfish are named scientifically?
The system of binomial nomenclature is regulated by internationally agreed-upon rules to maintain global consistency. The two most important codes are:
- International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN): This is the set of rules that governs the naming of all animals, including the starfish Asterias rubens.
- International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN): This is the corresponding set of rules used for naming all plants.
