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Study Reveals Starfish Evolution from Two Arms to Five

6/27/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A groundbreaking study in Current Biology uncovers the fascinating evolution of starfish, revealing their transformation from a two-armed ancestor 500 million years ago to the familiar five-armed creatures we know today. The discovery of a pivotal fossil, Atlascystis acantha, in Morocco sheds light on the evolutionary journey of echinoderms, including starfish and sea urchins.

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Story summary

A groundbreaking study in Current Biology uncovers the fascinating evolution of starfish, revealing their transformation from a two-armed ancestor 500 million years ago to the familiar five-armed creatures we know today. The discovery of a pivotal fossil, Atlascystis acantha, in Morocco sheds light on the evolutionary journey of echinoderms, including starfish and sea urchins.