Starfish feed on mussels and other shelfish. Operation of mussel farms have been known to cut up starfish and throw them overboard. Is this a smart practise? Explain.
2006-10-05 11:28:45 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
It's not very smart because starfish regenerate from cut pieces. If you cut an arm of a starfish not only will it grow a new arm but the cut off arm will develop four new arms (and a stomach). You get two for the price of one!
2006-10-05 11:32:22 · answer #1 · answered by Owlwings 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the type of Starfish and how small they cut them up because some species of star fish can regenerate limbs and some can even regrow their bodies from a single arm.
Regeneration
Some species of sea star have the ability to regenerate lost arms and can regrow an entire new arm in time. Most species must have the central part of the body intact to be able to regenerate, but a few can grow an entire starfish from a single ray. Included in this group are the Red and Blue Linkia Star. The regeneration of these stars is possible due to the vital organs kept in their arms.
So it really isnt a smart practice i guess.
2006-10-05 11:34:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not a smart practice because you're killing of the starfish!!! And they're the ones doing the work for them!! If you keep killing starfish, how will you get mussels when they all die out because of the cutting up process?
Have fun in science!!
2006-10-05 11:33:53 · answer #3 · answered by heyheyhey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you think that companies to who harvest mussels (for other people and companies who eat them) should be able to kill off starfish because the starfish are eating the mussels (and therefore taking away the companies' 'buisiness'?
It's a matter of opinion, but such harvesting companies shouldn't be allowed to do this. After all, it disturbs the natural ecosystem and food chain.
2006-10-05 11:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by Silver 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋