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Sense System:
Although N.novaecaledoniae does not have highly specialised eyes or olfactory sense organs, they do have sensory tube feet. At the end of each arm, there are small tube feet like organ. Each of these feet has a small red eye spot, which can sense changes in light and prey items. The star can be commonly seen to curl the end of its arm upwards exposing it to the surrounding water, maximising its sensory potential (Ruppert et al. 2004).
Excretion:
There are many different ways in which N. novaecaledoniae excretes unwanted waste. In the centre of the central disc is an inconspicuous anus. Faecal matter is caught in the mucus layer on the outside of the body and is transported via cilia off the epidermis. A madriporite is also present on the aboral surface of the star, in the form of a small stone like cap. The madriporite is used to excrete water from the water vascular system, to regulate internal pressure. Ammonia and nutrient based waste is excreted via the papulae or tube feet. Urine diffuses through membranous organs into the surrounding water (Ruppert et al. 2004).
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 Using sense tube feet. |