Ophiura albida

Researched By	Lizzie Tyler	Data Supplied By	University of Sheffield
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Ophiura albida	Common name	Brittlestar
MCS Code	ZB168	Recent Synonyms	None
Phylum	Echinodermata	Subphylum	Asterozoa
Superclass		Class	Ophiuroidea
Subclass		Order	Ophiurida
Suborder		Family	Ophiuridae
Genus	Ophiura	Species	albida
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Fish & Fish, 1996
General Biology
Growth form	Radial, Stellate	Feeding method	Passive suspension feeder, Active suspension feeder, Surface deposit feeder, Sub-surface deposit feeder
Mobility/Movement	Crawler, Burrower	Environmental position	Epibenthic
Typical food types	Insufficient information	Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility	Low (10-45 degrees)
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height	Insufficient information	Growth Rate	Insufficient information
Adult dispersal potential	1km-10km	Dependency	Independent
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	Common all around Britain.
Global distribution	Northern Norway to the Azores and the Med.
Biogeographic range	Not researched	Depth range	4 - 850 m
Migratory	Insufficient info.
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferences	Fine clean sand, Sandy mud, Muddy sand	Physiographic preferences	Insufficient information
Biological zone	Insufficient information	Wave exposure	Insufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flow	Insufficient information	Salinity	Insufficient information
Habitat Additional Information	Mostly sublittoral on a variety of soft substrata.
AMBI Group (Borja et al., 2000)	II
Distribution References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data, Mortensen, 1927
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism
Reproductive Season	Insufficient information	Reproductive Location	Insufficient information
Reproductive frequency		Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity
Generation time	Insufficient information	Fecundity
Egg/propagule size		Fertilization type	Insufficient information
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Insufficient information Larval settlement period Insufficient information Duration of larval stage
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Julie Bremner, unpub data