Knowra Brittle star Brittle star A marine echinoderm in the class Ophiuroidea, with a distinct central disc and long, flexible arms used for movement. Brittle stars differ from sea stars in having slender arms sharply set off from the disc.
Brittle star locomotion : Movement in brittle stars, driven mainly by coordinated arm strokes rather than tube feet. Their arms propel them across the seafloor in a distinctive rowing motion.
Ophiuroidea : The echinoderm class comprising brittle stars and basket stars. Brittle stars belong to this class, which also includes species with branched arms.
Benthic ecology : The study of organisms and interactions on or near the bottom of aquatic environments. Brittle stars are common members of seafloor communities.
Sea star : An echinoderm in the class Asteroidea, typically with broad arms continuous with its central body. Sea stars have less sharply separated arms and commonly use tube feet for locomotion.
Ophiuroid arm : A segmented, flexible appendage of a brittle star, supported by articulated calcium-carbonate plates. Arm joints allow the rapid, side-to-side movements used in locomotion.
Echinoderm : A marine invertebrate in the phylum Echinodermata, typically with a water vascular system and adult five-part symmetry. Brittle stars share the defining ancestry and body-plan traits of echinoderms.
Deep-sea ecology : The study of organisms and ecosystems in the ocean's deep regions. Some brittle stars dominate or strongly influence deep-sea habitats.
Basket star : A brittle star with repeatedly branched arms used to capture food from the water. Basket stars are specialized ophiuroids whose branching arms contrast with the usual slender arms.
Ophiuroid tube foot : A small, extendable appendage in the water-vascular system of brittle stars and their relatives. Tube feet help handle food and sense surroundings, though they usually do not provide the main propulsion.
Ossicle : A small skeletal element, especially one of the calcified plates forming an echinoderm's internal skeleton. Articulated ossicles support each arm while keeping it flexible.
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