Ophiacanthida

Common Names

Ophiacanthids are commonly referred to as spiny brittle stars or serpentile stars due to their spiny appearance and serpentine movements.

Characteristics

Ophiacanthida are distinguished by several key features:

• Spiny Arms: The most notable feature is their spiny arms, which are covered in a variety of spines. These spines can vary in size, shape, and arrangement depending on the species.
• Disk Shape: The central disk of the brittle star is often small and flattened, giving it a distinct starfish appearance.
• Arm Flexibility: Ophiacanthids have highly flexible arms that allow them to move with great agility in their environment.
• Bioluminescence: Some species, particularly those found in deep-sea environments, exhibit bioluminescence, which is the production of light by a chemical reaction within the body.

Environments

Ophiacanthids are found in a wide variety of marine environments, including:

• Shallow Waters: Many species inhabit shallow coastal waters, such as rocky shores, sandy beaches, and coral reefs.
• Deep-Sea Trenches: Some species are adapted to deep-sea environments, where they thrive in the absence of sunlight and at high pressures.
• Various Substrates: They can be found on a range of substrates, including sand, mud, rocks, and seaweed.

Feeding Habits

Ophiacanthida exhibit a variety of feeding strategies, including:

• Carnivorous: Some species prey on small invertebrates, such as crustaceans, worms, and other brittle stars.
• Detritivores: Others feed on organic debris, such as dead plants and animals, playing an important role in nutrient cycling.
• Filter Feeders: Some species are adapted to filter food particles from the water column.

References

For further information on Ophiacanthida, you can refer to the following reliable sources:

• World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
• PubMed
• ResearchGate