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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Brittle star

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean

Beneath a stone or at the bottom of a fissure, the Brittle star often goes unnoticed. Its thin arms wave in the current to collect food particles. Able to regenerate a lost arm, it also contributes to the natural cleaning of the seabed.

Habitat de Brittle star Habitat
Sand, Gravel, Detrital bottom, Maerl
Profondeur de Brittle star Depth
2-300 m
Groupe biologique de Brittle star Group
Echinoderm
Rôle écologique de Brittle star Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Related to starfish, the Brittle star has a pronounced central disc from which five long, thin and very flexible arms extend. These arms, often bearing small spines, give it a light, mobile appearance. Unlike starfish, its arms are clearly distinct from the centre. Its colour varies between species, from brown to red or orange. In danger, it can shed an arm to escape a predator and later regenerate it.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Brittle stars live on the seabed on varied substrates: sand, mud, gravel or rocky areas. They often hide beneath stones, in crevices or partly buried in sediment.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

Depending on the species, the Brittle star adopts several feeding strategies. It may feed on small organic particles, debris or dead animals, but also capture small organisms. Some raise their arms into the current to collect suspended particles.

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Other species — Echinoderm

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Same habitat and depth

Sandy seabed species Gravel seabed species Detrital seabed species Maerl bed species

Same ecological role and depth

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