Environment Protection - The Marine Environment

United Arab Emirates3 November 1999Draft

The vast majority of all animals are invertebrates (having no skeleton) and of these the vast majority again are marine animals. Our seas and oceans are alive with a bewildering variety of animals of extraordinary shapes, colours, sizes and behaviour. This series of stamps depicts just four of the huge number of species to be found in the waters surrounding the UAE. Feather Star Lamprometra klunzingeri 50 Fils These marine animals belong to a group collectively known,"" as sea-lilies and feather stars because they look very much like underwater flowers. They are closely related to starfish and sea urchins. Feather stars may either be attached to the seabed or walk freely on a ring of jointed tubes. Finger-like tube feet on the arms catch plankton and suspended organic matter, which is passed to the mouth in the centre. Arms of feather stars break off easily when they are attacked but they can be regenerated. This species is active at night and is commonly found on reefs of fire coral. Jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca 150 Fils Jellyfish are generally free-swimming bell-shaped animals"; with long tentacles for catching food. Food is transferred to the mouth, which is usually situated, on the mobile central stalk. They feed on almost any animal of appropriate size, with fish forming an important part of the diet.