Ophiuroids are a large group
of echinoderms that includes the brittle star
and basket stars. There are approximately
2,000 species.
The more familiar Ophiurida, or brittle stars, usually have five arms
and superficially resemble true starfish (Asteroidea). However, brittle
stars have long, flexible arms (hence the other common name for ophiuroids,
"snake stars") and a central disk-shaped body that is clearly
demarcated from the arms.
Brittle stars and basket stars are found in all oceans and depths. They
live generally among the rocks, stones and coral on the bottom of the
ocean.
Brittle stars move fairly rapidly by wriggling their arms.
A brittle star next to a starfish
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