The Brooding Snake Star, Dwarf Brittle Star, Small Brittlestar – Amphipholis squamata is a small and slender brittle star species found in a variety of marine environments. This echinoderm is known for its delicate, serpent-like arms and remarkable ability to regenerate lost limbs. Amphipholis squamata plays a vital role in marine ecosystems, contributing to the breakdown of organic matter and providing food for a range of predators.
Description & Characteristics
Amphipholis squamata is a diminutive brittle star, typically reaching a maximum size of only a few centimeters in diameter. Its body is small and flattened, with five long, slender arms that extend outwards from a central disc. The arms are covered in numerous, fine scales, giving them a somewhat scaly appearance. Their coloration can vary depending on the individual and their habitat, ranging from pale cream to reddish-brown. They are typically found in shallow waters, but they can also be found in deeper waters up to 200m.
Habitat and Occurrence
Amphipholis squamata exhibits a remarkable adaptability, thriving in diverse marine environments, including brackish water, intertidal zones, tidal zones, reef-associated areas, rock crevices, rubble floors, and sandy sea floors. Their preference for sheltered habitats like rock crevices and rubble floors provides protection from predators. Amphipholis squamata occupies the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and neritic zones of the oceans, ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth.
Taxonomy
The species Amphipholis squamata belongs to the Class: Ophiuroidea, Order: Amphilepidida, and Family: Amphiuridae. These classifications reflect the evolutionary relationships and shared characteristics of this species within the larger context of brittle stars and other echinoderms.
Feeding
Amphipholis squamata is a deposit feeder, primarily consuming organic debris, sediment, and algae. They are known as dustfood feeders, meaning they rely on tiny particles of organic matter that settle on the sea floor. This feeding strategy plays a crucial role in the breakdown and recycling of organic matter in marine ecosystems, making Amphipholis squamata an essential component of the food web.
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