Gorgonocephalus

Gorgonocephalus
Gorgonocephalus eucnemis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Ophiuroidea
Order: Phrynophiurida
Suborder: Euryalina
Family: Gorgonocephalidae
Genus: Gorgonocephalus
Leach, 1815 [1]
Species
See text

Gorgonocephalus is a genus of marine basket stars in the class Ophiuroidea. Members of this genus are found in coldwater environments including the Arctic, the Antarctic, and deep-sea habitats. The scientific name comes from the Greek, gorgós meaning "dreaded" and cephalus meaning "head", and refers to the similarity between these echinoids and the Gorgon's head from Greek myth with its coiled serpents for hair.[2]

Description

Members of this genus have a central disc with five arms which repeatedly bifurcate, dichotomously branching into smaller and smaller subdivisions. They have an endoskeleton of calcified ossicles as do other ophiuroids, but in their case, it is covered by a fleshy layer of skin, giving them a rubbery appearance. To feed, a basket star perches in an elevated position such as on a sponge, and extend its arms in a basket-like fashion. The branches and branchlets twist and coil and may ensnare small crustaceans that come within reach such as the northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica). The arms are covered in tiny hooks and spines which hold the prey. Along with the tube feet, these convey it to the mouth, which is on the underside of the central disc.[2]

Species

These species are included in the genus by the World Register of Marine Species:[1]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gorgonocephalus.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Stöhr, Sabine (2010). "Gorgonocephalus Leach, 1815". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 GORGONOCEPHALUS!! Because Weird is what we do! EchinoBlog. Retrieved 2012-01-21.