Daisy Brittle Star
The daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata) is a small, boldly patterned brittle star of the cold North Atlantic and North Pacific. Individuals vary greatly in color, from red and orange to white and black.
The daisy brittle star (Ophiopholis aculeata) is a small, boldly patterned brittle star of the cold North Atlantic and North Pacific. Individuals vary greatly in color, from red and orange to white and black.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Daisy Brittle Star in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Deuterostomia lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
Color Variety
No two animals look quite alike, and the variety may help to confuse predators that learn to hunt for a particular pattern. The disc is covered in rounded plates and small spines.
Hiding in Crevices
The star lives among rocks, kelp holdfasts and mussel beds, with arms extended into the water to catch food. Daisy brittle stars brood their young in special pouches.
Bioluminescence in Echinoderms
Many brittle stars can produce light, using it to deter predators. See Common Brittle Star.
Daisy Brittle Star at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Ophiopholis aculeata |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Echinodermata |
| Class | Ophiuroidea |
| Order | Amphilepidida |
| Family | Ophiopholidae |
| Field Guide group | Deuterostomia: Echinodermata (Sea Stars & Allies) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Small petal-patterned disc in red, pink, or purple with five banded spiny arms; hides under rocks and in kelp holdfasts. |
| Class | Ophiuroidea |
| Range | Cold North Atlantic and Pacific |