Taiwan’s Sea Stars
Sea stars belong to the phylum Echinodermata and class Asteroidea. They are commonly seen along the seashore. They inhabit all kinds of substrates in all kinds of environments, from small tidal pools in the coastal intertidal zones to 5,000-meter deep seas. Sea stars are often regarded as representatives of marine life and have been the subject of cartoons and animated films. They are also often sources of inspiration for writers and poets. Sea stars lie quielty on the seabed, like stars in the water, which people associate with romance.
Taiwan has a variety of coastal terrains including sandy beaches in the west, rocky beaches in the north and northeast, pebble beaches in the east, and coral reef landscapes along Hengchun in the south, as well as the offshore islands of Penghu, Xiaoliuqiu, Orchid Island, and Green Island. These provide a diverse range of habitats for sea stars. In recent years, there have been dramatic changes to Taiwan’s marine environments, with decline in the numbers of or disappearance of many marine organisms. We hope that these specimens from the museum’s collection can enable the public to learn more about sea stars and pay attention to issues related to the marine environment and marine organisms.
