The Brittle Star Link

Two Small Common Brittle Stars, Ophiothrix fragilis

The Common Brittle Star (Ophiothrix fragilis) is a widespread invertebrate of European waters. It has a body comprising of a central, flattened disc from which five narrow arms radiate (1). Dense beds of O. fragilis are quite common in European waters, often of up to 2000 individuals m^-2 (2). Their suspension feeding action means that they remove and recycle organic material in the water, and as such provide an important link between benthic and pelagic ecosystems (3).

References:

1. Sterry, 2004 Collins Complete Guide to Irish Wildilfe p. 176
2. Broom, 1975 Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the UK 55 pp. 191-197
3. Allen, 1998 Marine Biology 132 pp. 383-390