Ophiuroid Collection

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Brittle Star - River dive site, Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Brittle Star - River dive site, Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean

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Spiny Brittle Star - night dive - Scuba Seraya House Reef dive site, Seraya, Kubu district, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Date: 06-Nov-19

Serpent Star (Ophiura ophiura) lying on the beach, Schiermonnikoog, Friesland, The Netherlands

Palaeocoma egertoni, a fossil ophiuroid
Palaeocoma egertoni, with arms 4.5 cm long, from the Jurassic of Dorest, England

Illustration of Brittle star (Ophiuroid)

Small Basket Starfish hiding in a sponge, Bonaire, Caribbean Netherlands

Bumblebee shrimp hiding on a basket star, Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia

Detail on a giant basket star (Astroboa nuda) on a reef in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. This beautiful area harbors extraordinary marine biodiversity and is a popular destination for divers

Crevice Brittle Star -Ophiopholis aculeata-, White Sea, Karelia, Russia

Common Brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis) adult, in rockpool at low tide, Mounts Bay, Marazion, Cornwall, England, November

Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil C016 / 4893
Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish, they can crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms

Brittle star, Astrotoma agassizii
Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Ophioctenella sp. brittle star
Scanning electron microscope image of the post-larval stage of a brittle star (x 110) A newly described species 1994

Ophioderma egertoni (Broderip), brittlestar
Brittlestars belong to the echinoderms and are a close relative of sea stars. This specimen dates from the Middle Lias of the Jurassic from Bridport, Dorset c. 195-189 million years old

Brittlestar
Underside of a brittlestar specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ophiroid brittle stars
These invertebrates can occur in huge numbers on the deep ocean floor. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Astroboa clavata, basketstar

Palaeocoma egertoni, fossil brittle star
A fossil brittle (serpent) star found in the Jurassic and Lias of England. Maximum diameter 8cm. This specimen is a well-known Echinoderm genus and similar to todays living brittle stars

Daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata). The daisy brittle star lives on rocky sea floors from north-eastern Canada as far south as the north-eastern USA

Brittlestars on soft coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. spiny) and acoel flatworms (Waminoa sp. red) on soft coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestar on a reef
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestars on sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothela sp. spiny) on a purple sea pen (Virgularia gustaviana). Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestar on soft coral
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on leather coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Basket star (Astroboa nuda) on a reef. Basket stars are a species of brittle star. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish

Brittlestars on gorgonian coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on gorgonian coral (red). Photographed at Misool, Raja Ampat, West Papua, Indonesia

Brittlestars on a sea fan
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. white rings) wrapped around the branches of a gorgonian sea fan (pink). Photographed in the Andaman Sea, Thailand

Golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus, centre) by a gorgonian sea fan (left) on a coral reef. This species of damselfish inhabits reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region

Brittle star in a crevice. Daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata) half-hidden in a crevice. The daisy brittle star lives on rocky sea floors from north-eastern Canada as far south as

Brittle star on a sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. red) on a sea pen (Virgularia sp. purple). Sea pens are a type of octocoral. The brittle star is a marine invertebrate that is related to starfish

Brittle star and collapsed sea pen
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. red) on a collapsed sea pen (Pteroeides sp. orange) in which a few porcelain crabs are hiding and a small fish is resting. Sea pens are a type of octocoral

Tropical corals. Black corals (white, family Antipathidae) and sea whips (order Gorgonacea) growing in tropical waters. Photographed off Misool, West Papua, Indonesia

Damselfish on a reef. School of damselfish (family Pomacentridae) by a gorgonian sea fan (pink) on a coral reef. Photographed off Misool, West Papua, Indonesia

Juvenile golden damselfish (Amblyglyphidodon aureus, centre) by a gorgonian sea fan (left) on a coral reef. This species of damselfish inhabits reefs in the tropical Indo-Pacific region

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Discover the fascinating world of ophiuroids, commonly known as brittle stars or serpent stars. These marine creatures belong to a diverse group that has thrived for millions of years. In the serene beaches of Schiermonnikoog, Friesland, The Netherlands, a Serpent Star (Ophiura ophiura) gracefully rests on the sand. Its delicate arms extend like rays of sunlight, showcasing its intricate beauty. Travel back in time with Palaeocoma egertoni, a fossil ophiuroid that provides us with glimpses into ancient oceans. This relic from the past reminds us of the resilience and adaptability these creatures possess. An illustration captures the essence of a Brittle star (Ophiuroid), showcasing its unique body structure and graceful movements. It's truly mesmerizing how they navigate through their watery domain. Delve deeper into their secretive lives and you might stumble upon a Small Basket Starfish hiding within a sponge. Their ability to camouflage themselves is astounding; nature's hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Nature never ceases to amaze as we uncover a Bumblebee shrimp taking shelter on a basket star. A symbiotic relationship formed between two extraordinary species - an example of nature's interconnectedness. Witnessing the intricate details on a giant basket star leaves one in awe. Each arm adorned with tiny spines and vibrant colors creates an otherworldly spectacle beneath the waves. Journeying towards Russia's White Sea in Karelia reveals another member of this enchanting family: Crevice Brittle Star (Ophiopholis aculeata). Thriving amidst rocky crevices, it showcases nature's ability to adapt even in harsh environments. Closer to home at Mounts Bay, Marazion in Cornwall, England lies another marvel – Common Brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis). At low tide rockpools become their playground, offering a glimpse into their daily lives.