Dr. Paddy Ryan, USA
Info
Ophiopsammus maculatus (Verrill, 1869)
This New Zealand brittle star is deep orange to brick red in colour. It has five arms, which break easily,but regenerate well.This species is a very large Brittle star, the disc is about 5-8 cm across, the arms are 18 cm in lenght.
Ophiopsammus maculatus can be found offshore on soft, sandy to muddy bottom.
Ophiopsammus maculatus is a predator and but is also a scavanger.
This Brittle star is endemic in New Zealand.
Results of a comparative study suggest that large individuals of Ophiopsammus maculatus may exceed 30 years of age.
Synonymised names
Ophiarachna maculata Verrill, 1869 · unaccepted
Ophiopsammus maculata (Verrill, 1869) · unaccepted > incorrect grammatical agreement of specific epithet
Pectinura maculata (Verrill, 1869) · unaccepted
This New Zealand brittle star is deep orange to brick red in colour. It has five arms, which break easily,but regenerate well.This species is a very large Brittle star, the disc is about 5-8 cm across, the arms are 18 cm in lenght.
Ophiopsammus maculatus can be found offshore on soft, sandy to muddy bottom.
Ophiopsammus maculatus is a predator and but is also a scavanger.
This Brittle star is endemic in New Zealand.
Results of a comparative study suggest that large individuals of Ophiopsammus maculatus may exceed 30 years of age.
Synonymised names
Ophiarachna maculata Verrill, 1869 · unaccepted
Ophiopsammus maculata (Verrill, 1869) · unaccepted > incorrect grammatical agreement of specific epithet
Pectinura maculata (Verrill, 1869) · unaccepted
