Full Metamorphosis of Dendraster excentricus

Two individuals of Dendraster excentricus are shown here metamorphosing. This is real time footage, and it is amazing how quickly the metamorphosis occurs. In the early stages, you can see the tube feet moving around inside the larval body before breaking through and opening up the larval body, allowing the juvenile to completely emerge. The first half of this video shows a lateral view of the metamorphosis, and the second half gives an aboral view. After metamorphosis, the juvenile walks away, carrying some remnants of the larval body along. The larval body and skeleton quickly deteriorate after metamorphosis.