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A common name for echinoderms belonging to the class Ophiuroidea. The name is derived from their habit of breaking off arms as a means of defense. New arms are easily regenerated. They are also called serpent stars because of the snakelike movements of the five mobile, slender arms. Brittlestars can be distinguished from sea stars, or starfish, by their rounded central disk, sharply set off from the arms. They have the water-vascular system and tube feet common to all echinoderms; unlike sea stars, brittlestars lack open grooves (ambulacral grooves) on the lower surface of the arms, and the tube feet serve as tactile organs. Also unlike sea stars, brittlestars walk with their arms; only some species use the tube feet for locomotion. Each arm contains a series of jointed, bonelike internal calcite plates, or ossicles, which determine the freedom of arm movements. The body and arms of brittlestars are also protected by calcite plates, which in some species consist of arrays of microlenses that focus light onto a nerve bundle, acting like a compound eye. Brittlestars can move quickly and in any direction. Individuals are relatively small, usually less than 1 in. (2.5 cm) across the central disk, although the arms may be quite long. They are inconspicuous and often nocturnal, living under rocks, among seaweed, or buried in the sand. All are marine species, feeding on detritus and small living or dead animals. The arms move the larger food masses to the mouth, where they are fragmented by a complex jaw apparatus. Tube feet move smaller particles to the mouth. As a rule, sexes are separate, and fertilization occurs in the open sea after gametes have been discharged. A characteristic armed larval stage, the ophiopluteus, undergoes a profound metamorphosis to produce the rayed adult form.
The ophiuroids generally have five long slender, whip-like arms which may reach up to 60 centimeters (2 feet) in length on the largest specimens.
About 2,000 species of ophiuroids are known, and a number are common along American coasts. Brittlestars are classified in the phylum Echinodermata, class Ophiuroidea. http://www.answers.com/topic/brittle-star?method=26&initiator=WANS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What else can I help you with?
Where is the mouth of a brittle star?
The mouth of a brittle star is located on its underside, in the center of its body where the legs converge. It is surrounded by small feeding structures called podia used for capturing and transporting food to the mouth.
How many parents do Brittle Star have?
Brittle stars typically have separate sexes and reproduce sexually, so each individual can have both a mother and a father. This means they can have two parents.
What is a adaptation of a brittle star?
grasps food with it's arms, it's pretty cool to watch
Is a Brittle star a carnivore or Herbivore?
Brittle stars are carnivores, as they primarily feed on small organisms such as plankton, mollusks, and detritus in the ocean. They use their flexible arms to catch and consume their prey.
Describe what a brittle star looks like?
Because brittle stars are very fragile. Interestingly, Brittle stars use this fragility to defend themselves by easily losing arm segments or even entire arms. This strategy works because they are also able to regenerate these lost parts. They use their brittle quality and regenerative powers, in a way similar to that of some lizards, who lose part of their tails to confuse, appease, and evade predators.Brittle stars, Ophiuroids, are echinoderms, closely related to basket stars and distantly to star fish, sand dollars, and urchins.
What is the scientific name of a brittle star?
That depends on which species of brittle star you are referring to. There are 1900 living species of brittle star.
Is a brittle star a myriapod?
A Brittle star is not a myriapod. A Brittle star is an echinoderm. An example of a myriapod would be a centipede.
What is the common name of brittle star?
Um...brittle star?
What family is the brittle star?
The Brittle star is in the Family Ophiodermatidae.
Is a brittle star a vertebrate?
a brittle star is an invertabrate
What is the difference from a starfish and a brittle star?
a brittle star is a type of starfish.
What is the daisy brittle star color?
invertabrateA Brittle star is not a myriapod
What animal is classified as an echinoderm a brittle star or a hydra?
Brittle star
What is a brittle star's symbiotic relationship?
Brittle stars have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria. The bacteria live on the brittle star's skin and help digest food for the brittle star. In return, the brittle star provides the bacteria with protection and a suitable environment to thrive.
What phylum is the brittle star in?
The brittle star belongs to the phylum Echinodermata.
What is symbiotic with a brittle star?
the brittle star shows a young indonesian girls innocence and virginity
Does a brittle star have legs?
Yes Unlike star fish though, the Brittle star's legs don't touch at the center.
