Amphiura chiajei Forbes, 1843

Amphiura chiajei

Description: A small brittle star with very long arms which lives buried in muddy sand. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of the disc are covered with small scales. There are 4-6 conical arm spines, none widened or flattened at the tips and 2 large tentacle scales. Disc 9-10mm. arms 9x disc diameter.

Habitat: This species lives buried in muddy sand and extends its arms across the surface of the substratum, feeding on deposited material.

Distribution: Reported from all round the British Isles mostly below 10 metres but there is some doubt over records from the south.

Similar Species: Other Amphiura species are similar. Mixed populations of this species and Amphiura filiformis are common.

Key Identification Features:

• Small disc and long coiled arms.
• Buried in mud or fine sand.
• Upper and underside of disc covered with fine scales.
• 2 conspicuous tentacle scales.
• 4-6 conical arm spines.

Distribution Map: NBN map : National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

WoRMS: Species record : World Register of Marine Species.

iNaturalist: Species account : iNaturalist World Species Observations database