Did you know starfish have gills?

[AydenLincoln]

Starfish owners! Do you ever notice your starfish putting out little fuzzy things on the top of themselves? It’s their papulae or skin gills they do this for gas exchange. Here’s what it looks like on a West African Biscuit Starfish.

 

[WheatToast]

Thanks for sharing! I never really considered what the function of the fuzz was for. Do you know if the starfish's water vascular system (where water enters through the madreporite/"spot" atop the starfish) serves greater respritory function over the papulae or the other way around? Are they used in conjunction to better supply different parts of the starfish with oxygen. Does it only function to move oxygen from the papulae? Something else?

 

[AydenLincoln]

Thanks for sharing! I never really considered what the function of the fuzz was for. Do you know if the starfish's water vascular system (where water enters through the madreporite/"spot" atop the starfish) serves greater respritory function over the papulae or the other way around? Are they used in conjunction to better supply different parts of the starfish with oxygen. Does it only function to move oxygen from the papulae? Something else?

Here is an article that explains it very well! In conjunction and yes papulae are only used for gas exchange. https://www.animalwised.com/how-do-starfish-breathe-underwater-and-out-of-water-3621.html?amp=1