Path followed:
- Is the fault in the components that perform any physical action?
Answer: Yes
- Is the fault in components that move?
Answer: Yes
- Is the fault in components that make the mechanism move?
Answer: Yes
- Is the faulty component designed to move the mechanism around?
Answer: Yes
- Is the faulty component needed for stability?
Answer: Yes
- Does the faulty component manipulate smaller objects?
Answer: Yes
- Does the surrounding environment affect the process of regeneration?
Answer: No
- Are there any external resources that can be used by the mechanism?
Answer: No
- Does any material need to be cleared during the regeneration process?
Answer: No
- Does the adaptation occur in stages?
Answer: No
41) Noble Feather Star, Comanthina nobilis
Noble Feather Stars can be found in the Indo-Pacific region (“Noble Feather Star”). During the day they are curled up into a ball anchored to the ocean floor, but at night they extend their arms to catch food. Noble Feather Stars have the unique ability of regenerating their arm if it is cut off or pulled off.
Soon after the arm is amputated a blastema forms at the regenerating tip. The blastema is made of proliferating mesenchyme cells that were originally unspecialized amoebocytes (Kondo & Akasaka). Amoebocytesoriginated from the satellite cells of the cortex of the brachial nerve and differentiate into the cicatrical tissue which creates the stump of where the arm will grow (Kondo & Akasaka). The mesenchyme cells differentiate into chondrocytes that are used to form the cartilage of the arm. Coelomocytes are produced from the coelothelium and proliferate to regenerate the coelomic system of the Feather Star from the stump. The coelomic canals continue to provide the necessary cells to further the coelomic system and regenerate the coelomic cord (Kondo & Akasaka). Nerve cells can also be seen differentiating and becoming neurosecretory-like cells and axonal processes which allow the nerves to relay signals. Myocytes finally start to surround the nerves and differentiate into the different muscular tissues. Once the arm has been fully regenerated the cells will go back into the quiescent stage of the cell cycle.
“Noble Feather Star, Comaster Nobilis.” RedOrbit– Echinoderms Reference Library. RedOrbit, 2014. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.
Kondo, M., and K. Akasaka. “Regeneration in Crinoids.” Developmental, Growth, and Differentiation 52.1 (2010): 57-68.NCBI. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.