Ophidiasteridae
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Ophidiasteridae (Greek ophidia, Οφιδια, "of snakes", diminutive form) is a family of starfish with 31 genera. Occurring both in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans, ophidiasterids are greatest in diversity in the Indo-Pacific. Many of the genera in this family exhibits brilliant color and pattern, which sometimes can be attributed to aposematism and crypsis to protect themselves from predators. Some ophidiasterids possess remarkable powers of regeneration, enabling them to either reproduce asexually or to survive serious damage made by predators or forces of nature (an example for this is the genus Linckia).
The name of the family is taken from the genus Ophidiaster, whose limbs are slender, semi-tubular and serpentine.
[edit] Systematics
Genera include:
- Andora
- Ceratonardoa
- Cistina
- Copidaster
- Dactylosaster
- Dissogene
- Fromia
- Ferdina
- Gomophia
- Hacelia
- Heteronardoa
- Leiaster
- Linckia
- Nardoa
- Neoferdina
- Ophidiaster
- Pharia
- Phataria
- Tamaria
