North-East Coast
Singapore
January 2013
Brittle Stars belong to the phylum Echinodermata and and sub-class Ophiuroidea which has about 2,100 known species, of which 300 brittle star species can be found in shallow tropical waters. They get their name from their ability to drop off their arms, for example, when grabbed by a fish. A new arm will regrow. Although often found on Singapore shores, Brittle Stars are seldom seen as they are active at night and shelter under rocks, beneath the sand and in even on other animals such as sponges.
Two Brittle Stars were spotted within close proximity of each other
under some stones by the beach at low tide...
The full albums are available at:Merlion Wayfarer Goes Green's Picasa Web Albums (Starfishes)
Sources
- "Brittle stars" (December 2008). Wild Singapore. Retrieved from http://www.wildsingapore.com/wildfacts/echinodermata/ophiuroidea/ophiuroidea.htm.
- "Brittle Star (Order Ophiuroidea)", Chek Jawa. Retrieved from http://chekjawa.nus.edu.sg/ria/text/205.htm.
