Asteroidea

/ˌæstəˈrɔɪdiə/ noun

Definition

A class or taxonomic group that includes starfish and sea stars, marine animals with radiating arms around a central disk.

Etymology

From asteroid (from Greek aster, 'star') plus the Latin taxonomic suffix -ea. The name describes their star-like shape with radiating arms.

Kelly Says

Starfish were given the scientific class name 'Asteroidea' because they're literally shaped like stars—it's one of the few times scientific names match common names perfectly!

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