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Family: Ophiocomidae
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Bocas Species Database Habitat: In coral rubble, from the reef crest to the fore reef slope; also in mangrove peat banks and in clumps of algae. Distribution: Caribbean Natural History Notes: After dark, individuals extend several arms from their crevices which luminesce when touched. The luminescence deters predation by shrimps and crabs. Eggs reach 0.23 mm in diameter, consistent with a lecithotrophic development pattern, but larva has not been reared or identified. Individuals cannot survive above 40 degrees C. Depth: Reportedly 1-366m, confirmed down to 91m Characteristics: This species grows to 12 mm in disk diameter with arms 165 mm long. O. riisei differs from its congeners in having up to seven thick, flattened arm spines. It has both dental and oral papillae, like other ophiocomids. Its specialized inner tentacle scale is typical of the genus Ophiopsila The most vental spine in longest, and the more ventral spines are relatively slender. The brittle star has a blotchy disk and irregularly banded arms. It is gray, reddish, yellowish, maroon, purplish brown and cream-colored. |