Gorgonocephalidae

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Gorgonocephalidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Ophiuroidea
Order: Phrynophiurida
Suborder: Euryalina
Family: Gorgonocephalidae
Ljungman, 1867
Genera

see text.

Gorgonocephalidae are a family of Basket stars.They have characteristic many-branched arms.

Gorgonocephalidae are the largest ophiuroids (Gorgonocephalus stimpsoni can measure up to 70 cm in arm length with a disk diameter of 14 cm).[1]

Systematics and phylogeny

Gorgonocephalidae are divided into the following genera:[2]

  • Asteroporpa
  • Astracme
  • Astroboa
  • Astrocaneum
  • Astrochalcis
  • Astrochele
  • Astrochlamys
  • Astroclon
  • Astrocnida
  • Astroconus
  • Astrocrius
  • Astrocynodus
  • Astrodactylus
  • Astrodendrum
  • Astrodictyum
  • Astroglymna
  • Astrogomphus
  • Astrogordius
  • Astrohamma
  • Astrohelix
  • Astroniwa
  • Astrophyton
  • Astroplegma
  • Astroporpa
  • Astroraphis
  • Astrosierra
  • Astrospartus
  • Astrostephanus
  • Astrothorax
  • Astrothrombus
  • Astrotoma
  • Astrozona
  • Conocladus
  • Gorgonocephalus
  • Ophiocrene
  • Ophiohelix
  • Ophiozeta
  • Schizostella

Fossil record of Gorgonocephalidae dates back to Miocene.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia, vol 1, Gale Cengage 2003
  2. ↑ MarineSpecies.org - Gorgonocephalidae Ljungman, 1867
  3. ↑ Kroh, A. 2003. First record of gorgonocephalid ophiuroids (Echinodermata) from the Middle Miocene of the Central Paratethys. Cainozoic Research 2: 143-155


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