Ophiopholis aculeata (Linnaeus, 1767)

Description: A large brittle star with twisted arms which are conspicuously banded. The disc is covered with large plates separated by small granules and the dorsal surface of the arm has a single series of oval plates along its midline each surrounded by a ring of smaller plates. There are 4-5 robust conical arm spines and a single tentacle scale. Disc 15mm. arms 4x disc diameter.

Habitat: Characteristically found in crevices or borings in rock with just the arms projecting.

Distribution: Widely distributed around the British Isles but commoner in the north. Reaches the southern limit of its distribution in the English Channel.

Similar Species: Ophiactis balli is similar but smaller.

Key Identification Features:

• Twisted robust arms emerging from crevices.
• Arms with series of large plates each surrounded by a ring of small ones.

Distribution Map from BioMar data for Ireland - Google Earth map:  download this placemark (not got Google Earth installed?)

Distribution Map from NBN: JNCC MNCR data - Grid map National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.