Other Free Encyclopedias :: Animal Life Resource :: Jellyfishes, Sponges, and Other Simple Animals

Brittle and Basket Stars: Ophiuroidea - Physical Characteristics, Behavior And Reproduction, Dwarf Brittle Star (amphipholis Squamata): Species Accounts, Tropical Brittle Star (ophiactis Savignyi): Species Accounts - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, DIET, BASKE

DWARF BRITTLE STAR (Amphipholis squamata): SPECIES ACCOUNTS
TROPICAL BRITTLE STAR (Ophiactis savignyi): SPECIES ACCOUNTS

GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

Brittle and basket stars live in all the oceans of the world.

HABITAT

Some brittle and basket stars burrow into muddy or sandy sea bottoms. Others live on or among algae, sponges, and coral. Algae (AL-jee) are plantlike growths that live in water and have no true roots, stems, or leaves.

DIET

Some brittle and basket stars eat sea animals, alive or dead. Others eat particles from the bottom or from the open water.

BASKET STARS BRITTLE STARS AND PEOPLE

Brittle and basket stars have no known importance to people.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Brittle stars and basket stars, sea lilies and feather stars, sea stars, sea daisies, sea urchins and sand dollars, and sea cucumbers all belong to the group of animals called echinoderms (ih-KYE-nuh-durhms), which means "prickly skin."

CONSERVATION STATUS

Brittle and basket stars are not considered threatened or endangered.