Ophiopholis

	Ophiopholis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific specialist ... : '' Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) '' Ophiopholis pilosa'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Aculeata ''Ophiopholis aculeata'', the crevice brittle star or daisy brittle star, is a species of brittle star in the family Ophiactidae. It has a circum-polar distribution and is found in the Arctic Ocean, the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific. Description ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' has a central pentagonal disc up to in diameter; this is clearly set off from the five robust, twisted arms, which are four times as long as the disc is wide. The mouth is on the oral or underside of the disc and is surrounded by five toothed jaws. The aboral or upper side of the disc is granular, and a pair of large scales, the radial shield, covers the base of each arm. The radial shield is covered with small spines which conceal the scales. The many-jointed arms are covered with more scales both on the oral and aboral surfaces; on the aboral surface there is a regular series of oval scales each surrounded by smaller scales. There are six or seven stout spines per segment, with one short sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophiopholis aculeata'', the crevice brittle star or daisy brittle star, is a species of brittle star in the family Ophiactidae. It has a circum-polar distribution and is found in the Arctic Ocean, the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern ...'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) '' Ophiopholis pilosa'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Mirabilis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Longispina ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Kennerlyi ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Japonica ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Brachyactis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Bakeri ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 ''Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiactidae Ophiactidae are a family of brittle stars. Genera The following genera are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific specialis ... : '' Hemipholis'' Lyman, 1865 '' Histampica'' A.M. Clark, 1970 '' Ophiactis'' Lütken, 1856 '' Ophiopholis'' Müller & Troschel, 1842 '' Ophiopus'' Ljungman, 1867 References Ophiurida Echinoderm families {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Animalia Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the biological kingdom Animalia. With few exceptions, animals consume organic material, breathe oxygen, are able to move, can reproduce sexually, and go through an ontogenetic stage in which their body consists of a hollow sphere of cells, the blastula, during embryonic development. Over 1.5 million living animal species have been described—of which around 1 million are insects—but it has been estimated there are over 7 million animal species in total. Animals range in length from to . They have complex interactions with each other and their environments, forming intricate food webs. The scientific study of animals is known as zoology. Most living animal species are in Bilateria, a clade whose members have a bilaterally symmetric body plan. The Bilateria include the protostomes, containing animals such as nematodes, arthropods, flatworms, annelids and molluscs, and the deuterostomes, containing the echinode ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Echinodermata An echinoderm () is any member of the phylum Echinodermata (). The adults are recognisable by their (usually five-point) radial symmetry, and include starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers, as well as the sea lilies or "stone lilies". Adult echinoderms are found on the sea bed at every ocean depth, from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone. The phylum contains about 7,000 living species, making it the second-largest grouping of deuterostomes, after the chordates. Echinoderms are the largest entirely marine phylum. The first definitive echinoderms appeared near the start of the Cambrian. The echinoderms are important both ecologically and geologically. Ecologically, there are few other groupings so abundant in the biotic desert of the deep sea, as well as shallower oceans. Most echinoderms are able to reproduce asexually and regenerate tissue, organs, and limbs; in some cases, they can undergo complete regeneration from a single limb. Geolo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Brittle Star Brittle stars, serpent stars, or ophiuroids (; ; referring to the serpent-like arms of the brittle star) are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea, closely related to starfish. They crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The ophiuroids generally have five long, slender, whip-like arms which may reach up to in length on the largest specimens. The Ophiuroidea contain two large clades, Ophiurida (brittle stars) and Euryalida (basket stars). Over 2,000 species of brittle stars live today. More than 1,200 of these species are found in deep waters, greater than 200 m deep. Range The ophiuroids diverged in the Early Ordovician, about 500 million years ago. Ophiuroids can be found today in all of the major marine provinces, from the poles to the tropics. Basket stars are usually confined to the deeper parts of this range; Ophiuroids are known even from abyssal (>6,000 m) depths. However, brittle stars are also common members of reef communities, where t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]

	Ophiopholis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific specialist ... : '' Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) '' Ophiopholis pilosa'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Aculeata ''Ophiopholis aculeata'', the crevice brittle star or daisy brittle star, is a species of brittle star in the family Ophiactidae. It has a circum-polar distribution and is found in the Arctic Ocean, the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern Pacific. Description ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' has a central pentagonal disc up to in diameter; this is clearly set off from the five robust, twisted arms, which are four times as long as the disc is wide. The mouth is on the oral or underside of the disc and is surrounded by five toothed jaws. The aboral or upper side of the disc is granular, and a pair of large scales, the radial shield, covers the base of each arm. The radial shield is covered with small spines which conceal the scales. The many-jointed arms are covered with more scales both on the oral and aboral surfaces; on the aboral surface there is a regular series of oval scales each surrounded by smaller scales. There are six or seven stout spines per segment, with one short sp ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophiopholis aculeata'', the crevice brittle star or daisy brittle star, is a species of brittle star in the family Ophiactidae. It has a circum-polar distribution and is found in the Arctic Ocean, the northern Atlantic Ocean and the northern ...'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) '' Ophiopholis pilosa'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Mirabilis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Longispina ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 '' Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Kennerlyi ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 '' Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Japonica ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 '' Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Brachyactis ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 '' Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiopholis Bakeri ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata'' (Linnaeus, 1767) '' Ophiopholis bakeri'' McClendon, 1909 ''Ophiopholis brachyactis'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis japonica'' Lyman, 1879 ''Ophiopholis kennerlyi'' Lyman, 1860 ''Ophiopholis longispina'' H.L. Clark, 1911 ''Ophiopholis mirabilis'' (Duncan, 1879) ''Ophiopholis pilosa ''Ophiopholis'' is a genus of brittle stars (Ophiuroidea) found in oceans worldwide from tropics to temperate regions. Species The following species are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species : ''Ophiopholis aculeata ''Ophioph ...'' Djakonov, 1954 References Ophiactidae Ophiuroidea genera {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
	Ophiactidae Ophiactidae are a family of brittle stars. Genera The following genera are recognised by the World Register of Marine Species The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) is a taxonomic database that aims to provide an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms. Content The content of the registry is edited and maintained by scientific specialis ... : '' Hemipholis'' Lyman, 1865 '' Histampica'' A.M. Clark, 1970 '' Ophiactis'' Lütken, 1856 '' Ophiopholis'' Müller & Troschel, 1842 '' Ophiopus'' Ljungman, 1867 References Ophiurida Echinoderm families {{Ophiuroidea-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR:* [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Animalia Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the biological kingdom Animalia. With few exceptions, animals consume organic material, breathe oxygen, are able to move, can reproduce sexually, and go through an ontogenetic stage in which their body consists of a hollow sphere of cells, the blastula, during embryonic development. Over 1.5 million living animal species have been described—of which around 1 million are insects—but it has been estimated there are over 7 million animal species in total. Animals range in length from to . They have complex interactions with each other and their environments, forming intricate food webs. The scientific study of animals is known as zoology. Most living animal species are in Bilateria, a clade whose members have a bilaterally symmetric body plan. The Bilateria include the protostomes, containing animals such as nematodes, arthropods, flatworms, annelids and molluscs, and the deuterostomes, containing the echinode ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Echinodermata An echinoderm () is any member of the phylum Echinodermata (). The adults are recognisable by their (usually five-point) radial symmetry, and include starfish, brittle stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers, as well as the sea lilies or "stone lilies". Adult echinoderms are found on the sea bed at every ocean depth, from the intertidal zone to the abyssal zone. The phylum contains about 7,000 living species, making it the second-largest grouping of deuterostomes, after the chordates. Echinoderms are the largest entirely marine phylum. The first definitive echinoderms appeared near the start of the Cambrian. The echinoderms are important both ecologically and geologically. Ecologically, there are few other groupings so abundant in the biotic desert of the deep sea, as well as shallower oceans. Most echinoderms are able to reproduce asexually and regenerate tissue, organs, and limbs; in some cases, they can undergo complete regeneration from a single limb. Geolo ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]
picture info	Brittle Star Brittle stars, serpent stars, or ophiuroids (; ; referring to the serpent-like arms of the brittle star) are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea, closely related to starfish. They crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms for locomotion. The ophiuroids generally have five long, slender, whip-like arms which may reach up to in length on the largest specimens. The Ophiuroidea contain two large clades, Ophiurida (brittle stars) and Euryalida (basket stars). Over 2,000 species of brittle stars live today. More than 1,200 of these species are found in deep waters, greater than 200 m deep. Range The ophiuroids diverged in the Early Ordovician, about 500 million years ago. Ophiuroids can be found today in all of the major marine provinces, from the poles to the tropics. Basket stars are usually confined to the deeper parts of this range; Ophiuroids are known even from abyssal (>6,000 m) depths. However, brittle stars are also common members of reef communities, where t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu]