common brittlestar

The common brittlestar (<em>Ophiothrix fragilis</em>) is a marine echinoderm species found throughout European coastal waters, with documented occurrences in Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. This species typically inhabits European marine ecosystems, often forming dense aggregations on the seafloor in shallow to moderately deep waters. As a member of the class Ophiuroidea, the common brittlestar is characterized by its five slender, highly mobile arms that radiate from a central disc. It is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The species often feeds on suspended organic particles, small invertebrates, and detritus using its tube feet and mucus-coated arms, playing a significant role in benthic food webs. It typically occupies a wide range of substrates including gravel, shell hash, and biogenic reef structures across its European range. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.