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Dendraster terminalis

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description Dendraster terminalis Overview

Dendraster terminalis is a living sand dollar distinguished by a nearly central apical system and food grooves that do not reach its upper surface.

help Dendraster terminalis FAQ

Is Dendraster terminalis a fossil or a living animal?

Dendraster terminalis is a living sand dollar, so it is a marine echinoderm rather than merely a fossil shell. A bleached sand dollar test is the hard internal structure left after the living tissue is gone.

How can Dendraster terminalis be identified?

A key feature is its nearly central apical system. Its food grooves also do not reach the upper surface, which helps distinguish it from related sand dollars.

What are the food grooves on Dendraster terminalis?

They are surface channels associated with moving food particles toward the mouth on the underside. In this species, those grooves stop short of reaching the upper surface.

Is Dendraster terminalis related to sea urchins?

Yes, sand dollars are flattened relatives of sea urchins within the echinoderms. Dendraster terminalis is distinguished as a living sand dollar by its apical system and groove pattern.

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