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Family: Ophiodermatidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: Mangrove and seagrass habitats, and all reef zones. Distribution: Caribbean Natural History Notes: Individuals usually remain concealed in crevices or under rubble, and extend their arms at night to feed. During periods of mass mortalities caused by severe low tides, individuals will emerge to scavenge in the intertidal during the day. Individuals have also been observed leaving their crevices to feed on feces released by passing fish. Other food consumed includes carapaces and limbs of crabs and other crustaceans. Arm damage caused by predation is relatively unimportant to populations. In Panama, spawning occurs year-round, but peaks between October and May. Different populations breed asynchronously. Yolky, vitellaria larvae develop from 0.3 mm eggs. Depth: Usually, intertidal to 24 m; reported at 1,719 m. Characteristics: This relatively large species grows to 29 mm in disk diameter, with arms 148 mm long. Individuals larger than 10 mm in disk diameter have numerous fragmented dorsal arm plates on joints near the disk. Arm spines are small, adpressed, bluntly pointed, and gradually increase in size toward the ventral surface. The ground color in O. cinereum ranges from light to dark gray or brown. Juveniles are pale pink, rose, or lavender. A distinct, dark border demarcates the edge of the radial sheild on all but the darkest individuals. Tiny clusters of black and white or yellow specks are usually scattered on the disk. The arms are conspicuously banded. |