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How Crown-of-Thorns Starfish See Without A Central Head

How Crown-of-Thorns Starfish See Without A Central Head
Animals that can see without having a head · indianexpress.com

A crown-of-thorns starfish does not have a head or a central brain.

Even so, it can sense what is around it.

Light-sensitive structures are located near the tips of its arms.

These structures detect changes in light.

The starfish can use this information to respond to its surroundings.

It can also help the animal move through its environment.

This is different from animals that use eyes in a head.

The starfish shows that sensing and navigation can work without a conventional head-and-eye system.

Key facts

Animal
Crown-of-thorns starfish
Head
No head
Central brain
No central brain
Light-sensitive structures
Associated with the tips of its arms
Main function
Sensing surroundings and responding to changes in light
Navigation
The visual system helps it navigate its environment

Sources

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