brittle-star
Definition
Noun: 1. A marine echinoderm: A brittle-star is an animal that lives in the ocean. It is related to starfish but has a distinct body structure. 2. Characteristic physical form: Its body consists of a small, central, disc-shaped part from which long, slender, flexible, and fragile arms radiate. These arms are used for movement and feeding.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- We found a brittle-star hiding under a rock during the low tide.
- The brittle-star uses its whip-like arms to move quickly across the seafloor.
- Unlike a true starfish, a brittle-star can easily shed an arm if it is grabbed by a predator.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific context: In biology and marine science, "brittle-star" refers specifically to any member of the class Ophiuroidea. They are important detritivores and predators in benthic ecosystems.
- The study focused on the population density of the brittle-star Ophiothrix fragilis.*
Variants and Related Words
- Brittlestar (noun): An alternative, often single-word spelling of "brittle-star".
- Serpent star (noun): Another common name for a brittle-star, often used for types with particularly long, snake-like arms.
- Ophiuroid (noun): The formal scientific term for a brittle-star.
Synonyms
- Serpent star: A synonym emphasizing the arm shape.
- Ophiuroid: A technical synonym.
Related Phrases
- Brittle-star bed: A phrase used in marine ecology to describe a dense aggregation of these animals on the seabed.
- The submersible explored a vast brittle-star bed on the continental slope.
Noun
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an animal resembling a starfish with fragile whiplike arms radiating from a small central disc
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