RESEARCH AND REPORT WRITING

NOOR-E-SABA
2018-ARCH-07

RESEARCH PAPER REVIEW

 Size-specific locomotion rate and movement pattern of four
common Indo-Pacific Sea stars (Echinodermata; Asteroidea)
This paper Size-specific locomotion rate and movement pattern of four common Indo-Pacific
Sea stars (Echinodermata; Asteroidea) by Enjamin Mueller Arthur R. Bos, Gerhard Graf, Girley
S. Gumanao deals with the study of locomotive abilities of four different types of sea stars.
In the first part, the brief of the paper is given by narrating that the bionomics of sea stars are
basically related to their locomotive capabilities. The relationship was studied between May and
July 2008 in the coastal waters of the Island of Samal in the Philippines for A. planci, A.
Typicus, L. levigata and P. nodosus. The seabed moves across the natural sub-level, creating a
uniform habitat because of tarpaulin. The average motion rates of L. levigata, P. nodosus and A.
planci were 8.1 ± 1.9, 18.8 ± 3.9, and 35.3 ± 10.0 cm, respectively, and the maximum speed of
R. A. typicus was 76. ± 31.9. also increased with cm min -1 and L. Lavigata, P. nodosus and A.
planci maximum speeds of 10.6 ± 2.7, 27.7 ± 7.5, and 50.9 ±14.0 cm, respectively. An inter-
specific comparison of locomotion rates using the number of body movements per minute
suggests that the effect of body size partially affects morphological and behavioral
adaptations. The motion patterns of the nodosus were highly directional and the water-current
direction did not affect the motion directions of the four species.
This paper conducts the study of locomotion of four different types of sea stars. There is
migration potential and migration speed that has many implications for biology and ecology of
an animal. Benthic reef creatures, like relatively slow-moving sea stars, have to spend the rest
of their lives in the ocean reef where they once settled. This means something like that creature’s
breed in this local area only the pelagic larval stage provides an opportunity for long-distance
penetration. Although relatively slow-moving animals have relatively large distribution regions.
Sea stars move randomly for food and to prevent physical stress. For example, A. Typicus and A.
Planci can display locomotion rate of 15.1 to 24.9 cm. Maximum speed of sea stars depends on
body size, number and tube foot length. Therefore, larger models run faster than the smaller,
both inter-specific and Intra-specific. The velocity rate and motion patterns of sea stars is
determined by scoring individuals' tracks on natural surfaces. However, limited observation time
can lead to optimal resolution over time and position. Recently developed technologies such as
Time Lapse video analysis provide highly accurate data to researchers which need expensive
equipment.
The goal of the present study is to determine size-specific locomotion rate and maximum speed
and explain the motion patterns of four common Indo-Pacific Ocean stars: A. planci, A.
Typicus, L. levigata and P. nodosus.
For the study of their locomotion, at first, the sea stars are collected in the coastal waters of the
Samal Island Davao Bay, Philippines May to July 2008. There is a collection that is usually
done by snorkeling, but the large specimen collection of L. laevigata and A. Planci was done
using scuba equipment. Since sea stars remain motionless after handling the samples incubate for
2 to 12 hours adapted into container covered with sunken mesh (45 × 20 × 30 cm) to reduce
stress management.
Then experimental design and observation was conducted. For this a tarpaulin (2 × 2 m) with
printed grid (10 × 10 cm square) was placed on the surface of the substrate. The observations
are taken in water with depths from 0.3 to 2.0 m. Each sea star was carefully placed in the center
of the tarpaulin with its madreporite south. As soon as the sea star started moving, we started
the stopwatch (accuracy: 1s). Time and class labels were recorded every time one person reaches
another grid Square. An observation was concluded or when a sea star reaches the edge of a
tarpaulin after completing the 20 squares.
The following environmental parameters are recorded before each observation: water depth,
bottom water temperature, wave activity, water current speed and the direction of water
flow.
After experimental observation the data analysis. Is done. The displacement of sea stars for each
class of tarpaulin is calculated as a trigonometry. The speed of a sea star is calculated by
dividing displacement for the time required to move to a neighborhood square. When an
observation begins the sea star starts its orbit in the center of the tarpaulin and continues until it
leaves the tarpaulin. Therefore, the observation consists of several consecutive sections. The rate
of movement is determined by calculating the average speed of all classes in one observation,
while the maximum speed is the highest speed. The body speed per minute is calculated by
dividing locomotion rate by diameter (2R) for each sample. To study inter-specific locomotive
differences regardless of size and the motion patterns are described as the ratio of D and total
distance (W). D is when the shortest distance between S and E is the wall. The graphical
representation is done in the paper.
The direction of motion of the sea stars is tested by calculating the deviation of direction of
movement of current. The Rayleigh Test was used to determine the direction of motion and
the middle angle. The direction of the current is the same distributed around a 360 circle.
After completing the whole process, the research was concluded by analyzing that L. Levigata
has the lowest speed rate, 8-cm on average with min-1, while prototyping nodosus and A. planci
migrated at almost double and 4 times the rate. A. Typicus is the fastest moving sea star. The
average speed rate is 45.8 cm with min-1. Especially at the rate of A. Typicus, with R increased
from 17.8 to 72.2 cm with min-1. The direction of movement and the flow of water showed
that there was no priority angle in the rental direction movement. The angle distribution does
not differ significantly from the uniformity. The whole process and their results are represented
in tabular form and graphical manner.
At the end of the paper, the general discussion is done on the whole process and research on the
sea star. The surfaces affect the motion rate and motion patterns of ocean stars. The patterns of
animal movements are unified. Highly directional movement pattern as before described for
sea stars optimizes aging capacity on relatively holding surfaces. Their movement is very
directional. More indirect patterns of the movements of these species can also be explained. Sea
stars can usually show direction for a certain distance belonging to the movement. Small sea
stars move short distance before changing direction from large. With respect to the current
direction of the water, it refers to using a tarpaulin as a substrate works well preventing
sensory interruptions. Large oceans are believed to move faster than smaller models. Based on
the assumption that speed depends on number and length of tube feet and body shape. In the
present study, we found a significant linear relationship between the moving rate and maximum
velocity for the orchestra typhoon, which confirms large ocean stars move faster than smaller
stars. There are discs and a relatively large number of tube feet and there is an increase in violent
capabilities. In addition, the tube-foot morphology is likely to affect moving rates.
According to this theory, in all four species, the present study classifies the common valvular
common disc end type of tube foot, but with minor modifications. There is a correlation between
body size and rate of movement. Patterns of all four species moved at the same speed with
respect to their body size. Therefore, if so, body size species-specific pattern can be partially
ruled out the body structure and tube-foot-like features.
So, if we conclude this whole experimental research, we get an idea that the effect of body size
partially affects morphological and behavioral adaptations of sea stars. The motion patterns of
the sea stars were highly directional and the water-current direction did not affect the motion
directions of the four species.

(1346 words)