• Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Echinodermata
  • Subphylum: Asterozoa
  • Class: Ophiuroidea
  • Order: Ophiurida
  • Suborder: Ophiurina
  • Family: Ophiuridae
  • Scientific name: Ophiura albida
  • Norwegian: kvitflekket slangestjerne

Characteristics:

Two white spots at each arm base is the most distinct feature of the O. albida. The disk diameter does not exceed 15 mm, the arm length is approximately four times the disk diameter. The color is usually reddish brown, the spines on the arms white.

Habitat:

It thrives on fine sand or muddy substrate, from the subtidal zone and down to 850 meters.

Distribution:

It is widespread in the North-East Atlantic Ocean, as well as the Mediterranean.