Brittle Star Collection

Horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus) bed with Brittlestars (Ophiothrix fragilis) and Edible crab (Cancer pagurus), Shetland, Scotland, UK, September

Close-up of a Brittle Star (Ophiura ophiura) stranded on the beach at low tide, Noord-Holland, the Netherlands

Suensons brittle star (Ophiothrix suensonii) on Azure vase sponge (Callyspongia plicifera), St. Vincent, Caribbean

Brittle star echinoderm, Ophiomastix annulosa, Ophiura annulosa
6337570 Brittle star echinoderm, Ophiomastix annulosa, Ophiura annulosa by Finocchi (19th century); (add.info.: Brittle star echinoderm, Ophiomastix annulosa, Ophiura annulosa. Ofiura annulosa)

UW INDO 2029 61
Brittle Star - River dive site, Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Brittle Star - River dive site, Tulamben, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean

UW INDO 1895 18
Spiny Brittle Star - night dive - Scuba Seraya House Reef dive site, Seraya, Kubu district, Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, Indian Ocean Date: 06-Nov-19

Nudibranch (Fjordia lineata) crawling amongst the legs of a Black brittlestar (Ophiocomina nigra), Loch Carron, Highlands, Scotland, UK

Gorgons Head, 1863-79 (colour litho)
1001206 Gorgons Head, 1863-79 (colour litho) by Petraroja, Raimundo (fl.1863-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Atlante zoologico popolare)

Echinoderms, c. 1860 (colour litho)
1109874 Echinoderms, c.1860 (colour litho) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: From A Naturgeschichte des TierreichsA (Natural History of the Animal Kingdom)

Gorgons Head, 1863-79 (colour litho)
1001340 Gorgons Head, 1863-79 (colour litho) by Petraroja, Raimundo (fl.1863-79); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Atlante zoologico popolare)

Northern basket star (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis) Slingsby Channel, British Columbia, Canada. May

Kaleidoscopic image of brittlestars. Indonesia

Kaleidoscopic image of brittle star (Ophiothrix sp), North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Kaleidoscopic image of Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. ) on Sea pen (Virgularia sp. ). Rinca, Indonesia
Kaleidoscopic image of Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp.) on Sea pen (Virgularia sp.). Rinca, Indonesia

USA, Reticulated Brittle Star (Ophiocoma Brevipes) On Cushion Starfish (Culcita Novaeguineae); Hawaii

Serpent Star (Ophiura ophiura) lying on the beach, Schiermonnikoog, Friesland, The Netherlands

Brittle Star - Blending into it's home on the soft coral this starfish is almost invivible - Papua New Guinea
VT-8849 Brittle Star - Blending into it's home on the soft coral this starfish is almost invisible Papua New Guinea Ophiothrix foveolata Valerie & Ron Taylor Please note that prints are for

Palaeocoma egertoni, a fossil ophiuroid
Palaeocoma egertoni, with arms 4.5 cm long, from the Jurassic of Dorest, England

Illustration of Brittle star (Ophiuroid)

Crevice Brittle Star -Ophiopholis aculeata-, White Sea, Karelia, Russia

Black Brittlestar (Ophiocomina nigra) adult, on maerl bed in sea loch, Loch Carron, Ross and Cromarty, Highlands, Scotland, June

Prickly Brittlestar (Ophiocoma erinaceus) adult, on black sand, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia, February

Common Brittlestar (Ophiothrix fragilis) adult, in rockpool at low tide, Mounts Bay, Marazion, Cornwall, England, November

Brittle star, SEM
Brittle star (Amphipholis sp.), coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). A brittle star is a marine invertebrate that is related to starfish

Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil C016 / 4893
Palaeocoma egertoni, brittle star fossil. Brittle stars are related to starfish but, unlike starfish, they can crawl across the sea floor using their flexible arms

Brittle star fossil C013 / 6618
Brittlestar (Ophioderma egertoni) fossil. A brittle star is a marine invertebrate that is related to starfish. It has five flexible arms radiating from a central disc-shaped body

Brittle star, Astrotoma agassizii
Specimen collected by Robert Falcon Scotts British Antarctic Expedition 1910-1913, also known as the Terra Nova expedition

Ophioctenella sp. brittle star
Scanning electron microscope image of the post-larval stage of a brittle star (x 110) A newly described species 1994

Ophioderma egertoni (Broderip), brittlestar
Brittlestars belong to the echinoderms and are a close relative of sea stars. This specimen dates from the Middle Lias of the Jurassic from Bridport, Dorset c. 195-189 million years old

Brittlestar
Underside of a brittlestar specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London

Ophiroid brittle stars
These invertebrates can occur in huge numbers on the deep ocean floor. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Astroboa clavata, basketstar

Palaeocoma egertoni, fossil brittle star
A fossil brittle (serpent) star found in the Jurassic and Lias of England. Maximum diameter 8cm. This specimen is a well-known Echinoderm genus and similar to todays living brittle stars

Brittle Star - Indonesia
LEE-154 Brittle Star Indonesia Ophiothrix purpurea Lea Lee contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Brittle Star on Porifera (Echinodermata and Porifera), Yucutan Penninsula, Mexico

Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. ) adult, suspended in seawater, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp.) adult, suspended in seawater, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Brittlestar (Ophiuroidea sp. ) adult, on Soft Glomerate Tree Coral (Dendronephthya sp)
Brittlestar (Ophiuroidea sp.) adult, on Soft Glomerate Tree Coral (Dendronephthya sp.) in reef at night, Tutuntute, Wetar Island, Barat Daya Islands, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Sand Brittlestar (Ophiura ophiura) adult, on sandy seabed, Worbarrow Bay, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England, july

Brittlestar on coral
Brittlestar (Opiothrix sp. yellow) on soft coral (Dendronephthya sp.). Brittlestars are echinoderms, closely related to starfish. Photographed in the Indo-Pacific region

Lenses on brittle star surface, SEM
Brittle star microlenses. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of microlenses on the surface of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii

Brittle star (Amphipholis squamata) in a rock pool. Brittle stars are marine echinoderms, closely related to starfish. They have five arms radiating from a central disc-shaped body

Brittle stars. Colour of the brittle star Ophiocoma wendtii during the day (top) and at night. This marine echinoderm changes colour in response to light

Brittle star on coral

Brittle star fossils

Dead great spider crab

Brittlestars on soft coral
Brittlestars (Ophiothrix sp. spiny) and acoel flatworms (Waminoa sp. red) on soft coral. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

Brittlestar on a reef
Brittlestar (Ophiothrix sp. yellow) on a reef. Photographed off Rinca island, Komodo National Park, Indonesia

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The brittle star, a fascinating creature found in various marine habitats, never fails to captivate with its delicate beauty and unique characteristics. In the depths of the ocean, amidst a Horse mussel bed, one can witness the enchanting dance of Brittlestars alongside an Edible crab. These graceful creatures, known as Ophiothrix fragilis, gracefully sway their long arms through the water, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. On the shores at low tide, a Close-up of a stranded Brittle Star reveals its intricate patterns and vibrant colors. This particular species, Ophiura ophiura, showcases its resilience even when faced with adversity. Its presence on the beach serves as a reminder of nature's ability to adapt and survive. In warmer waters like those surrounding St. Vincent in the Caribbean lies another captivating sight - Suensons brittle stars resting on Azure vase sponges (Callyspongia plicifera). The contrast between their slender bodies and vibrant blue backdrop creates an awe-inspiring scene that seems almost otherworldly. Further exploration into these echinoderms leads us to discover Ophiomastix annulosa and Ophiura annulosa. Their intricate designs resemble works of art from centuries past - Echinoderms depicted in stunning color lithographs dating back to 1860s Gorgons Head or c. 1923 Marine organisms illustrations. Even amongst other marine life forms such as Nudibranchs crawling amongst Black brittlestar legs or Northern basket stars dwelling in Slingsby Channel off British Columbia's coast; Brittlestars manage to stand out with their elegance and grace. Whether observed up close or admired from afar through historical depictions or underwater photography like UW INDO 2029 61 or UW INDO 1895 18; each encounter with these remarkable creatures leaves us marveling at their beauty while reminding us of nature's boundless wonders.