Image of the Week - 24 January 2006

Pedicellariae on Starfish (Labidiaster annulatus) Arm

SEM image of a small portion of an arm (dorsal side) of the starfish Labidiaster annulatus, showing one of numerous jaw-like structures called pedicellariae, which average about 200 microns in length. This sample has been treated with sodium hypochlorite to remove most of the organic membrane covering the pedicellariae.

Image Courtesy: Cathy Topham

Contact: ctopha2@uiuc.edu