Amphiodia+occidentalis

**//Amphiodia occidentalis// (Lyman, 1860)** (Long-Rayed Brittle Star)  Fam. Amphiuridae Order: Ophiurida



 **General Overview** : ** The Long-rayed Brittle Star is an echinoderm under the order Ophiurida. It is characterized by its unusually long arms extended from its disc, which is about 12 millimeters in diameter. The five arms may be 9-15 times the length of the disc diameter. ** ** // A. occidentalis // can be commonly found under rocks, on sandy bottoms of the sea, or in sea-grass routes. When they are disturbed, they will retract their arms in an accordion-like manner and curl up into a ball. When threatened, they burrow quickly into the sand to retreat. They can also regenerate arms that are shed or lost fairly quickly. **

 **Feeding Habits**:

 Arms that are extended vertically over the body are engaged in suspension feeding, those that are extended horizontally are used for deposit feeding. The Long-rayed Brittle Star consumes plankton, small mollusks, crustaceans, and worms.

 Reproduction:
 Amphiodia occidentalis has separate sexes, and their breeding cycles are usually restricted. The brittle star spawns its eggs and sperm in open-water, which then develop into ophiopleuteus larvae. After they continuously feed on phytoplankton, they will reach maturity in two years. It is during winter and spring when the highest point of spawning activity is reached.

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