Image of the Week - 01 February 2005

Deep-Sea Starfish Baby

Embryo within the body of a gravid female deep-sea starfish. This image was taken using the ESEM in wet mode so that the original specimen (discoid, 3 to 4 mm in diameter) would not be harmed and could be used as a type specimen. These rare starfish live on wood beneath the ocean at depths of 1000 to 3000 meters.

Image Courtesy: Chris Mah, Department of Geology

Contact: mah@uiuc.edu