Ophiolepididae

Common Names

Members of the Ophiolepididae family are commonly known as "brittle stars" or "serpent stars." They are also sometimes called "basket stars" due to their intricate branching arms in some species.

Characteristics

Ophiolepididae have several distinctive characteristics that distinguish them from other brittle star families:

• Arms: Ophiolepididae have slender, flexible arms that are typically branched or forked. The arms are covered in small, overlapping scales.
• Disc: The central disc of the body is relatively small and covered in scales or granules. It may have a variety of patterns and colors.
• Mouth: Ophiolepididae have a small, central mouth surrounded by five jaws. Each jaw has a pair of sharp teeth.
• Tube Feet: Ophiolepididae have tube feet on their arms, but these are not used for locomotion like in other echinoderms. They are instead used for sensing their surroundings and capturing food.

Environments

Ophiolepididae are found in a wide range of marine environments, including:

• Shallow water: Ophiolepididae are common in shallow coastal waters, often found under rocks, in seaweed beds, or on coral reefs.
• Deep sea: Some species of Ophiolepididae live in the deep sea, at depths of thousands of meters.
• Intertidal zone: Ophiolepididae are also found in the intertidal zone, where they must tolerate fluctuating salinity and temperature conditions.

References

For more information on Ophiolepididae, you can consult the following resources:

• World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)
• Wikipedia
• Britannica