1. "' Ophiolepididae "'are a family of brittle stars of the suborder Ophiurina. 2. These brittle stars often seem to have broken or partly regenerated arms. 3. Modern starfish and brittle stars probably had a common somasteroid ancestor. 4. "' Zeugophiurina "'is a suborder of primitive brittle stars with three extinct families. 5. The best known of Orthonectida is the parasite of brittle stars . 6. In large, crowded areas, brittle stars eat suspended matter from prevailing seafloor currents. 7. For example, a sea urchin has an'echinopluteus'larva while a brittle star has an'ophiopluteus'larva. 8. This brittle star occurs from the intertidal zone down to about. 9. The common brittle star is a scavenger, feeding on dead organisms. 10. In addition, brittle stars , serpent stars, wrasses, and crabs will eat damselfish eggs.
