Body wall:
The body wall of N. novaecaledoniae consists of multiple layers. The external epidermis is a single layered cuticle. Behind this layer is a thick section of connective tissue dermis. Within this layer there is collagenous connective tissue and calcareous ossicles, which form a hard protective layer. The third and final layer of the body wall is the coelomic epithelium, which forms the muscle and peritoneum of the star (Ruppert et al. 2004).
Nervous System:
The nervous system of N. novaecaledoniae consists of circumoral rings of nerve that extend outwards towards the tube feet. The star has two sets of nerve nets that run through the coelmic lining and in the epidermis. Both nets have sensory and motor components which are involved in coordinating directional movement (Ruppert et al. 2004).
Internal Transport:
Nardao novaecaledoniae has four coelomic circulatory systems, the water vascular system, the perivisceral coelom, the hyponeural coelom and the genital coelom. Each system transports liquid to different sections of the body.
The hemal system plays an important role in most asteroidea stars. This system consists of three radial sets of vessels within the central disc. The vessels share a common vessel which joins to the heart. The heart does beat rhythmically, but the configuration of circulation is still unknown (Ruppert et al. 2004).
Regeneration:
Like most Echinoderms, N. novaecaledoniae have the ability to regenerate limbs. Provided the madriporite is intact, the star is able to regenerate as much as 4/5 of its body. Little is still known about the mechanisms that allow this to happen (Ruppert et al. 2004).
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