Biodiversity & Conservation

A brittlestar - Ophiura ophiura

Ophiura ophiura

Image Hilmar Hinz - Ophiura ophiura in a laboratory. Image width ca XX cm.
Image copyright information

  • #
  • #
Distribution map

Ophiura ophiura recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

Sightings Have you seen Ophiura ophiura?
If so please submit your record.

Ophiura ophiura is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Echinodermata Starfish, brittlestars, sea urchins & sea cucumbers
Class Stelleroidea Starfish, sea stars, cushion stars and brittlestars
Authority (Linnaeus, 1758)
Recent synonyms Ophiura texturata
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland All British and Irish coasts.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Common over sand and muddy-sand. It extends from the lower shore to depths of about 200 m.
Text page icon Description The colour of the brittlestar Ophiura ophiura varies from dull brown to sandy orange. The disc is up to about 35 mm in diameter and the arms are about four times as long as the diameter of the disc. The dorsal and ventral surfaces of the disc is covered with plates. The arms are made of articulating calcareous pieces that allow considerable twisting in the lateral plane. Ophiura ophiura can be distinguished from similar species by having pores between the ventral plates at the base of each arm and by having combs of about 30 fine papillae at each base. It is red to brown in colour above, and paler below.
Identifying features
  • Central disc up to 35 mm.
  • Arms 4 times diameter of disc.
  • Upper surface of disc with coarse scales.
  • Arm spines lie almost flat against arms.
  • Pair of pores between ventral plates at the base of the arms.
  • Dorsal surface of disc red/brown, ventral side paler.
Additional information icon Additional information Ophiura ophiura is a suspension feeder and feeds on a wide range of food.

This review can be cited as follows:

Ana Ruiz 2008. Ophiura ophiura. A brittlestar. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 21/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3981>