Ophiopholis aculeata (Linnaeus, 1767)
Common name(s): Daisy brittle star,
Painted brittle star,
Ubiquitous brittle star
|
Synonyms: |
![](Ophiopholis_aculeata1sDLC2006.jpg) |
Phylum Echinodermata
Class
Ophiuroidea
Order Ophiurida
Suborder Gnathophiurina
Family Ophiactidae |
Ophiopholis aculeata from a subtidal
rock, Deception Pass, WA |
(Photo by: Dave Cowles,
July 2006) |
Description:
This brittle star is distinctive
in this area because the plates on the aboral surface of the rays are
separated
from one another by smaller supplementary plates (photo).
The rays have five spines on the lateral plates (photo),
the middle of which is the largest. Color and pattern are extremely
variable.
The color usually includes red stripes or blotches, usually
interspersed
with brown but sometimes with green. Flora and Fairbanks
state that
it can sometimes be black and white or gray and brown. The
oral surface
is whitish (photo).
How to Distinguish from
Similar Species:
This is the only local species of brittle stars that has the
supplementary
plates.
Geographical Range:
Worldwide, especially
north temperate. On our coasts, Bering Sea to Santa Barbara,
CA;
most abundant in the north.
Depth Range:
Lower intertidal to 2000
m
Habitat: Rocky
intertidal or kelp holdfasts
Biology/Natural History:
This is the
main species common on rocky shores in our area. Others can
be found
in gravelly areas or in areas with boulders interspersed with
sand.
They feed by capturing food with their tube feet, by picking up
detritus,
or by mucus secreted by the rays. Predators include fish and
harlequin
ducks. Ovaries are red and testes are white. In our
area they
may spawn in Jan-March, July, October, or November. In the
USSR (White
sea), spawning seems to follow a lunar cycle. Metamorphosis
from
the larval stage does not occur until 83-216 days after fertilization.
References:
Dichotomous Keys:
Flora
and Fairbanks
Kozloff
1987, 1996
Smith
and Carlton, 1975
General References:
Harbo,
1999
Johnson
and Snook, 1955
Kozloff,
1993
Lambert
and Austin, 2007
McConnaughey
and McConnaughey, 1985
Morris
et al., 1980
Niesen,
1997
O'Clair
and O'Clair, 1998
Sept,
1999
Scientific Articles:
Knott, K. Emily, and Gregory A. Wray, 2000. Controversy and consensus
in Asteroid systematics: new insights to Ordinal and Familial
relationships. American Zoologist 40:3 pp. 382-392
Web sites:
General Notes and
Observations: Locations, abundances,
unusual behaviors:
![](Ophiopholis_aculeata7sDLC2006.jpg)
Closeup of the central disk (aboral side) of the individual
above.
The aboral side of the disk is covered with small, conical spines which
are larger toward the margins. It has conspicuous lobes
between the
arms, and may appear inflated.
![](Ophiopholis_aculeataArm4sDLC2006.jpg)
The "dorsal" (aboral) plates on the rays are separated by small
secondary
plates, as can be seen here.
This is a view of the aboral side of a
ray. The five
spines projecting from the lateral plates can be seen to the sides.
The yellow tube feet can be seen projecting from the other, oral side
of the ray
![](Ophiopholus_aculeataUnderside1DLC2006.jpg)
The underside of the mouth and the rays are white..
Authors and Editors of Page:
Dave Cowles (2006): Created original page
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