General Description
Small species with a disc covered in numerous tiny plates, no spines. Arms moderately long and sinuous. Up to 8 arm spines on the side of each segment, one oval tentacle scale. Broods its young internally; the juvenile arms can sometimes be seen protruding from the genital slit near the base of the arms. Colour pale grey or brown disc with dusky banded arms. Disc up to 7 mm wide, arm up to 5 cm long.
Biology
This species is probably a detrital feeder.
Distribution
Around Australia.
Habitat
Found in clumps of algae, seagrass and encrusting invertebrates or under stones, from intertidal rock pools to the inner continental shelf (0-60 m), rarely to the upper continental slope (275 m).
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Disc covered in tiny plates, long arms, up to 8 arm spines per segment, 1 tentacle scale protecting tube feet.
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Maximum Size
7 mm
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Habitats
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Diet
Organic matter
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
DSE Advisory List: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m), Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
Lyman, 1879
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Common Name
Brittle Star
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Class
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Subclass
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Superorder
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Order
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Suborder
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Superfamily
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
constricta