The brittle stars: echinoderms superficially resembling sea stars but with long, thin, flexible arms sharply distinct from a small central disc, capable of rapid, snake-like movement. Ophiuroidea is the most species-rich echinoderm class and is found from shallow reefs to the deepest ocean trenches.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Count Band Era First Appeared Disputed
Member Species/Taxa CountApproximate described-species (or, for a genus, described-taxon) count; continually revised as species are newly described, reclassified or synonymized. Classification
Living or Extinct Connections
Child Taxon Of
Parent Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Basket Star
Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ59256, descriptionView the Source 2. Catalogue of Life
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Ophiuroidea
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 2166
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Ophiuroidea
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Ophiuroidea" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 477.1 ... "early_interval": "Floian"
Wikidata: Ophiuroidea
Wikidata: Basket Star
Parent Taxon Of: Basket Star, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source Wikipedia: Brittle star
In Group: Echinoderm Classes, LeadQuote, In Group: Echinoderm Classes, Lead
Brittle stars, serpent stars, or ophiuroids (from Latin ophiurus 'brittle star'; from Ancient Greek ὄφις (óphis) 'serpent' and οὐρά (ourá) 'tail'; referring to the serpent-like arms of the brittle star) are echinoderms in the class Ophiuroidea.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.