The Ruby Brittle Star, scientifically known as Ophioderma rubicundum, is a captivating echinoderm species renowned for its vibrant reddish-purple hue. Its intricate, branching arms contribute to its fascinating appearance, making it a captivating sight within its marine habitat.
Description & Characteristics
The Ophioderma rubicundum is characterized by its distinctive reddish-purple coloration, which can vary in intensity depending on its environment and individual variations. This brittle star possesses five long, slender arms that branch out from a central disc. The arms are covered in small, delicate spines, giving them a slightly rough texture. The disc, the central body of the brittle star, is typically round or oval-shaped and can measure up to 3 centimeters in diameter. The Ophioderma rubicundum is a relatively small species, with a maximum arm span reaching around 10 centimeters.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Ophioderma rubicundum is a common inhabitant of various marine environments, particularly in the Subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone (intertidal) to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. neritic. zone. It can be found residing among coral reefs, gravel soils, rubble rocks, reef combs, reef ridges, and reef flats. The presence of Ophioderma rubicundum in these diverse habitats highlights its adaptability and capacity to thrive in a range of marine conditions.
Taxonomy
The species Ophioderma rubicundum belongs to the Class: Ophiuroidea, Order: Ophiacanthida, and Family: Ophiodermatidae. This classification reflects its lineage within the echinoderm phylum, placing it among the brittle stars, which are characterized by their flexible, often branched arms and their distinct central disc.
Feeding
The Ophioderma rubicundum exhibits an omnivorous feeding strategy, consuming a wide array of food sources. Its diet includes clams, coral spawn, crustaceans, diatoms, dinoflagellates., foraminifers, hydrozoa polyps, invertebrates, snails, worms, and zoobenthos. This dietary flexibility allows the Ophioderma rubicundum to adapt to varying food availability in its environment, playing a significant role in the ecological balance of its habitat.
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