Leptasterias Hexactis, the Underwater Snowflake

Species that employ sexual reproduction have two basic schemes to ensure the survival of their genes. Some spread their gametes widely and indiscriminately to produce great number of offspring, like plants and many animals. Others produce fewer offspring, but take care of them to boost their chance of survival. Most sea stars use the former technique, but six-rayed sea stars (Leptasterias hexactis) is different. It's different because it looks like a snowflake, with an extra "leg" that other sea stars lack, and it protects its offspring. On the sea floor, where it's eat or be eaten, this gives them a leg up, so to speak, on other sea creatures. Meet this sea star in a video from PBS's Deep Look series. (via Aeon)