Brittle star (Amphiura filiformis): A relative of the starfish.
Two of the best-known littoral species are the green brittle star (Ophioderma brevispina), found from Massachusetts to Brazil, and the common European brittle star (Ophiothrix fragilis).
For other echinoderms of similar name, see brittle star; feather star.
The brittle star is also able to switch its front-facing limb as needed, and this enables it to swiftly change direction, Mr. Astley said.
But while moving, the brittle star is able to designate a front, and act as if it is bilaterally symmetrical, Mr. Astley said.
Brittle star, also called serpent star, any of the 2,100 living species of marine invertebrates constituting the subclass Ophiuroidea (phylum Echinodermata).
Among the basket stars, a type of brittle star, each arm may branch multiple times, and the outstretched arms reach nearly 1 metre (about 3 feet) across.
The most widespread species is the long-armed brittle star (Amphipholis squamata), a grayish or bluish species that is strongly luminescent.
Winner Serpents' table brittle star - Kmnaut Runner-up Twin-spot brittlestar - culbin Judges' comments: This suggestion struck us as particularly ingenious.
Off the coast of New Zealand scientists found a "Brittle Star City", where tens of millions of these creatures live atop a sea mountain, holding their arms up into a swift current that brings them endless supplies of food.
A species of brittle star has officially been named Ophiohamus georgemartini, because of its physical likeness to the thorny crown on the cover of the second book in the Game of Thrones series, A Clash of Kings.
