Sea Star and Mollusk, Satonda Island, 2005
Photograph by Tim Laman
Many mollusks, like this ridged specimen resting atop a blue sea star (starfish) near Indonesia's Satonda Island, are commensal creatures, meaning they benefit from living on or near a host organism, while leaving the host largely unaffected. However, mollusks are also a favorite prey of sea stars, which use their suction-cupped tube feet to pry open clams, mollusks, and oysters before consuming their innards.
