Oreaster reticulatus Cushion Sea Star Spawning

     This spawning Cushion Sea Star was photographed at night in the Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach Inlet, Palm Beach County, Florida by Susan Mears on 8/12/2011. Underwater photograph copyright 2011 by Susan Mears. According to Dr. Gordon Hendler (Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California) "Spawning of Oreaster reticulata has never before been observed or recorded in situ, although spawning has been induced and the larva have been reared in vitro."o.