Ophidiasteridae (from Ancient Greek ὄφις (óphis), meaning "snake", and ἀστήρ (astḗr), meaning "star") 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 See last paragraph in review above Analysis 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.

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:Ophidiasteridae World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-10-17.

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

References

External links Classification of the Extant Echinodermata