Injured slime star (Pteraster tesselatus – to 24 cm). Uses toxic mucus as a defense against predators but has still been nibbled on by a crab.
Thanks to Neil McDaniel (astounding underwater videographer and sea star fan) and Gregory Jensen (School of Aquatic Fishery Sciences in Washington) for educating me that it was most likely a lithodid crab that caused the slime star’s injuries and, that of the lithodid crabs, it was most likely the aggressive predator with powerful claws – the red fur crab (Acantholithodes hispidus – to 7.5 cm).
More information on the slime star at Neil McDaniel’s sea star page http://www.seastarsofthepacificnorthwest.info/species/slime_star.html
