Brittle Stars of Zihuatanejo

CLASS ASTEROIDEA

• Animals Kingdom (Animalia)

• Echinoderms (Phylum Echinodermata

• Sea Stars and Brittle Stars (Subphylum Asterozoa)

• Brittle Stars (Class Ophiuroidea)

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Class Ophiuroidea comprises the brittle stars and basket stars. Ophiuroidea is the largest class of living echinoderms. These animals are characterized by a distinct central disc from which extend five long, flexible arms that are sharply separated from the body, unlike the broader arms of sea stars. Brittle stars move by rapidly writhing or rowing their arms rather than using tube feet for locomotion, making them among the most agile echinoderms. They inhabit virtually all marine environments, from intertidal zones and coral reefs to deep-sea habitats thousands of meters below the surface. Most species are scavengers, detritivores, suspension feeders, or small predators, feeding on organic particles, plankton, and tiny invertebrates.