Black Brittle Star

Black Brittle Star, Ophiocoma echinata

The Black Brittle Star, Ophiocoma echinata, is a member of the Cidaridae Family of brittle stars. They have maximum arm lengths of 25 cm (10 inches) and the maximum central disk diameter is 2.5 cm (1.0 inch). The arms are uniform in color with spines that are long and perpendicular to the arm axis. The aboral or dorsal surface of the disk has a uniform brown coloration and is covered with minute granules. They are common on rocky shores, under rocks in sand or muddy areas of the lower and intertidal zones.  They are found throughout the Sea of Cortez and along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala.