Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Ophiuroidea

 

Norwegian: slangestjerner

(Storsteinan - The Trondheim fjord / 15 meters / 8.14.2001)

In contrast to the sea stars, the arms of the brittle stars are not directly connected to the central disk. Most species have five arms, in some cases, like the Gorgon's head, they are heavily branched. The arms of  brittle stars do not have any internal organs. They are usually long, thin and flexible.