Final answer:
Starfish have the ability to shed and regenerate appendages through a process called fragmentation, allowing them to escape predators and even reproduce asexually.
Step-by-step explanation:
The species that has the ability to "shed" an appendage to escape from predators and then regenerate the lost body part over time is the starfish. This process of shedding and regeneration is known as fragmentation, which can occur through accidental damage, damage from predators, or as a natural form of reproduction. Remarkably, if a starfish's arm and a portion of its central disc are intact, they can regenerate into a second complete sea star, which also aids in asexual reproduction. While fisheries workers have attempted to kill starfish by cutting them in pieces, this counterproductively results in more starfish as the pieces regenerate. It should be noted that chitons and whelk do not possess these regenerative abilities.