DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Mediterranean Underwater Biodiversity Project

 

14/A – Smooth brittlestar - Ophioderma longicaudum

This smooth serpentine star owes its smooth look to the presence of short spikes arranged along its body. Ophiuroids, like stars, are able to regenerate their whole body from a fragment. If attacked by a predator, they easily detach part of their arms by an automatic mechanism belonging to their defensive system.