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

_______________________________ 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

_____________________________ 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

___________________________ 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