Common brittlestar  (Ophiothrix fragilis)

Species information

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Authentication

This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact: arkive@wildscreen.org.uk

Glossary

  • Cryptic colouration: colouration that makes animals difficult to detect against their background. The colouration may provide camouflage against a background or break up the outline of the body. Both can occur in a single animal, and tend to reduce predation.
  • Larvae: stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
  • Metamorphose: an abrupt physical change from the larval to the adult form.
  • Planktonic: aquatic organisms that drift with water movements; may be either phytoplankton (plants), or zooplankton (animals).

References

  1. National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (November, 2002)
    http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/
  2. Jackson, A. (1999) Ophiothrix fragilis. Common brittle star. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. (November, 2002)
    http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Ophiothrixfragilis.htm
  3. Fish, J.D. and Fish, S. (1996) A student's guide to the seashore. Second Edition.Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
  4. Ulster Museum: Marine Life. (November, 2002)
    http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/marinelife/echinode/ophfra.htm
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