Multi-colored Brittle Star, Ophioderma variegatum

Multi-colored Brittle Star, Ophioderma variegatum. Underwater photograph taken in Zihuantanejo Bay, Guerrero, March 2019. Photograph courtesy of Ron Woheau, Zihuantanejo.

The Multi-colored Brittle Star, Ophioderma variegatum, (Lűtken, 1856) is a member of the Ophiocomidae Family of Brittle Stars, and is known in Mexico as estrella quebradiza multicolor.

The Multi-colored Brittle Star has undivided upper arm plates that are rectangular and often with a wavy leading edge. They vary significantly in color but are normally red in color over a tan background. Their central disk has spotting what is irregular in shape that are normally found between each arm. The arms are conspicuously banded with a reddish color.

The Multi-colored Brittle Star is found under mud, rocks and rubble in the intertidal zone to depths up to 110 m (360 feet). They are fairly large with discs that are between 9.0 cm (3.5 inches) and 18 cm (7.0 inches) in diameter. They are scavengers and opportunistic feeders.

In Mexican waters the Multi-colored Brittle Star is found in all oceanic waters of the Pacific Ocean.

A synonym is Ophioderma panamensis.