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October 11, 2021: Slime Star

This sea star in the genus Hymenaster lives up to its common name of “slime star,” being capable of producing a copious amount of mucus as a defense mechanism.

Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Deep Connections 2019. Download larger version (jpg, 1.4 MB).

This sea star in the genus Hymenaster lives up to its common name of “slime star,” being capable of producing a copious amount of mucus as a defense mechanism. This one was imaged while exploring Verrill Canyon during the Deep Connections 2019: Exploring Atlantic Canyons and Seamounts of the United States and Canada expedition at a depth of 2,500 meters (1.6 miles).