Ophidiasteridae · Lablypedia

In a nutshell

The Ophidiasteridae (Greek ophidia, Οφιδια, "of snakes", diminutive form) are a family of sea stars with about 30 genera. Occurring both in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, ophidiasterids are greatest in diversity in the Indo-Pacific. Many of the genera in this family exhibit brilliant colors and patterns, which sometimes can be attributed to aposematism and crypsis to protect themselves from predators. Some ophidiasterids possess remarkable powers of regeneration, enabling them to either reproduce asexually or to survive serious damage made by predators or forces of nature (an example for this is the genus Linckia). Some species belonging to Linckia, Ophidiaster and Phataria shed single arms that regenerate the disc and the remaining rays to form a complete individual. Some of these also reproduce asexually by parthenogenesis.

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Through Atlantic Ocean

HydrosphereClass 9 · Geography

The name of the family is taken from the genus Ophidiaster, whose limbs are slender, semitubular and serpentine.

Systematics

These genera are accepted in the World Register of Marine Species:

Andora A.M. Clark, 1967 -- 4 species
Bunaster Döderlein, 1896 -- 4 species
Certonardoa H.L. Clark, 1921 -- 1 species
Cistina Gray, 1840 -- 1 species
Copidaster A.H. Clark, 1948 -- 3 species
Dactylosaster Gray, 1840 -- 1 species
Devania Marsh, 1974 -- 1 species
Dissogenes Fisher, 1913 -- 2 species
Drachmaster Downey, 1970 -- 1 species
Gomophia Gray, 1840 -- 4 species
Hacelia Gray, 1840 -- 5 species
Heteronardoa Hayashi, 1973 -- 2 species
Leiaster Peters, 1852 -- 5 species
Linckia Nardo, 1834 -- 9 species
Narcissia Gray, 1840 -- 4 species
Nardoa Gray, 1840 -- 9 species
Oneria Rowe, 1981 -- 1 species
Ophidiaster L. Agassiz, 1836 -- 24 species
Pharia Gray, 1840 -- 1 species
Phataria Gray, 1840 -- 2 species
Plenardoa H.L. Clark, 1921 -- 1 species
Pseudophidiaster H.L. Clark, 1916 -- 1 species
Tamaria Gray, 1840 -- 18 species

Fossil genera

†Chariaster
†Sladenia

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Monotypic taxonTaxonomic group with only one subordinate taxon Species descriptionFormal description of a discovered species ParaphylyType of taxonomic group IUCN Red ListInventory of the global conservation status of biological species SubtropicsGeographic and climate zone Common nameName generally used for a taxon, group of taxa or organism(s)