Gorgonocephalus arcticus
A basket star with coiled arms like the Gorgon's serpents.
Last updated
Gorgonocephalus arcticus is a species of basket star in the class Ophiuroidea. Its genus name, from Greek gorgós meaning 'dreaded' and cephalus meaning 'head', references the resemblance between these echinoids and the Gorgon's head from Greek myth with its coiled serpents for hair. This species is notable for its large size, reaching up to 400 mm in total diameter, and its ability to live non-parasitically on the exterior of other sessile animals such as the tunicate Boltenia ovifera.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumEchinodermata
- ClassOphiuroidea
- OrderPhrynophiurida
- FamilyGorgonocephalidae
- GenusGorgonocephalus
- SpeciesGorgonocephalus arcticus
Named by Leach, 1819
Close relatives
Other species of Gorgonocephalus with a Codexery entry.
- Gorgonocephalus eucnemis Gorgonocephalus eucnemis
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Gorgonocephalus arcticus (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 124966 (CC BY 4.0)
Where the gorgonocephalus arcticus has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (3,609 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 19 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain)
Background
Gorgonocephalus arcticus was first discovered at 300 m depth in the Skagerrak by Mortensen. Five Gorgonocephalus species were discovered from European waters, with four occurring in Scandinavian waters. Technological advances, including remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), have allowed scientists to view this basket star in situ and conduct additional lab research.
Its populations are distributed from the Arctic to Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and it commonly lives in areas of moderate to strong current flow. This species is found at varying depths from the sublittoral zone to a maximum of 1500 m. It has been observed living non-parasitically on the exterior of Boltenia ovifera, a tunicate found in a similar range.
Morphologically, G. arcticus has five arms extending from a central disc, though some individuals have as many as 20 arms. The arms branch into smaller subdivisions, and the calcified ossicle endoskeleton is covered by a fleshy skin giving a rubbery appearance. The disc is pentagonal, yellowish, and covered with scales.
The mouth on the lower surface is framed by five jaws with spinelink teeth and papillae, leading to a saclike stomach that ends in a blind pouch; the species lacks intestines and an anus. Bursal slits on the oral side open to respiratory bursae for gas exchange. Movement is achieved by strong arm strokes that lift the disc and thrust the animal forward, using flexible articulated arms supported by an internal skeleton.
More in Brittle Stars
Elsewhere in Sea Cucumbers and Brittle Stars
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Gorgonocephalus arcticus (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced