There are about 1,500 living species of starfish to be found on the
seabed in all the world's oceans, from the tropics to subzero polar
waters and from the intertidal zone down to abyssal depths. Starfish are
among the most familiar of marine invertebrates. They typically have a
central disc and five or more arms. The upper surface may be smooth,
granular or spiny, and is clad in overlapping plates. Many species are
brightly coloured in shades of red or orange, while others are blue,
grey or brown. Starfish have tube feet operated by a hydraulic system
and a mouth at the centre of the lower surface. Most are voracious
predators, either swallowing their prey whole or turning their stomachs
inside out to engulf it. They have complex life cycles and can reproduce
both sexually and asexually. Most can regenerate damaged parts and many
can shed arms as a means of defence. Starfish such as the ochre sea star
and the reef sea star have become widely known as examples of the
keystone species concept in ecology. With their appealing symmetrical
shape, starfish are found in literature, legend and popular culture.
They are sometimes collected as curios, used in design or as logos, and
in some cultures they are eaten.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starfish>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1874:
In one of the longest cases ever heard in an English court, the
defendant was convicted of perjury for attempting to assume the identity
of the heir to the Tichborne baronetcy.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tichborne_case>
1914:
In the aftermath of the Balkan Wars, Greeks living in southern
Albania proclaimed the Autonomous Republic of Northern Epirus.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_Republic_of_Northern_Epirus>
1928:
Indian physicist C. V. Raman and his colleagues discovered what
is now called the Raman effect, for which he later became the first
Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._V._Raman>
1972:
U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic
of China concluded with the two countries issuing the Shanghai
Communiqué, pledging to work toward the full normalization of
diplomatic relations.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Nixon_visit_to_China>
2001:
A high-speed train accident occurred at Great Heck near Selby,
North Yorkshire, England, killing ten passengers and injuring 82 others.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Heck_rail_crash>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
compere:
(chiefly UK) A master of ceremonies in a television, variety or quiz
show. Also used more generally for any master of ceremonies.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/compere>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
What is precious is never to forget The delight of the blood drawn
from ancient springs Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth;
Never to deny its pleasure in the simple morning light, Nor its grave
evening demand for love; Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.
--Stephen Spender
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Stephen_Spender>