By Brian Jules Campued
Of course, kids and the young-at-heart surely know who lives in a pineapple under the sea—and his lazy and slow-witted, pink starfish buddy who resides under a rock. But did you know that there is a “real-life Patrick Star” in the Philippines?
Researchers from the Zoology Division of the National Museum of the Philippines (NMP), along with the Marine Science Investigation Force (MISF) of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), conducted marine research on the islands of Samal and Talicud in Davao del Norte last July 10 to 24.
Among the specimens gathered by the researchers is a Catala’s sea star—already the second in the NMP’s care after the first starfish was collected in Anini-y, Antique in February last year.
Called the Catala’s sea star or heavy starfish, the Thromidia catalai is one of the heftiest starfish in the world—weighing up to six kilograms and growing 70 centimeters. It can be found buried at least 10 meters deep in the sand or coral reefs in the western Indo-Pacific Region.
The Catala’s sea star’s whole body is colored pink while each of its five tips is cinnamon-brown.
According to the NMP, the starfish specimen will be included in the natural history exhibitions of its Davao and Iloilo museums in the coming months. – iro