Javier Couper (Predomalpha), New Zealand
Info
Ophiopteris antipodum E. A. Smith, 1877
Brittle stars have long slender arms with which they walk. They can move quite rapidly after having been exposed. As their name suggests, they are rather brittle, easily breaking an arm or two. They do so voluntarily when threatened. The severed arm wriggles to call attention away from the star, fleeing for its safety. Lost arms can be regrown completely.
The oar star Ophiopteris antipodum has flat spines that look like rowing-oars. It easily breaks its arms off. It is the fastest moving brittle star.
Brittle stars have long slender arms with which they walk. They can move quite rapidly after having been exposed. As their name suggests, they are rather brittle, easily breaking an arm or two. They do so voluntarily when threatened. The severed arm wriggles to call attention away from the star, fleeing for its safety. Lost arms can be regrown completely.
The oar star Ophiopteris antipodum has flat spines that look like rowing-oars. It easily breaks its arms off. It is the fastest moving brittle star.
