Puneet Varma (Editor)

Gorgonocephalus

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Kingdom
  
Phylum
  
Echinodermata

Rank
  
Genus

Suborder
  
Euryalina

Scientific name
  
Gorgonocephalus

Higher classification
  
Gorgonocephalidae

Gorgonocephalus The Echinoblog GORGONOCEPHALUS Because Weird is what we do

Similar
  
Basket star, Brittle star, Gorgonocephalus eucnemis, Echinoderm, Gorgonocephalidae

Basket star gorgonocephalus eucnemis


Gorgonocephalus is a genus of marine basket stars in the class Ophiuroidea. Members of this genus are found in coldwater environments including the Arctic, the Antarctic, and deep-sea habitats. The scientific name comes from the Greek, gorgós meaning "dreaded" and cephalus meaning "head", and refers to the similarity between these echinoids and the Gorgon's head from Greek myth with its coiled serpents for hair. The Greek mythological hero Perseus beheaded the Gorgon Medusa; when Perseus later dropped Medusa's head on the beach, her petrifying glance turned the nearby seaweed to stone, creating the first coral.

Contents

Gorgonocephalus The Echinoblog A Galaxy Class of Gorgonocephalus A Basket Star

How to pronounce gorgonocephalus


Description

Gorgonocephalus Gorgonocephalus eucnemis

Members of this genus have a central disc with five arms which repeatedly bifurcate, dichotomously branching into smaller and smaller subdivisions. They have an endoskeleton of calcified ossicles as do other ophiuroids, but in their case, it is covered by a fleshy layer of skin, giving them a rubbery appearance. To feed, a basket star perches in an elevated position such as on a sponge, and extend its arms in a basket-like fashion. The branches and branchlets twist and coil and may ensnare small crustaceans that come within reach such as the northern krill (Meganyctiphanes norvegica). The arms are covered in tiny hooks and spines which hold the prey. Along with the tube feet, these convey it to the mouth, which is on the underside of the central disc.

Species

These species are included in the genus by the World Register of Marine Species:

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  • Gorgonocephalus arcticus Leach, 1819
  • Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae (L., 1758)
  • Gorgonocephalus chilensis (Philippi, 1858)
  • Gorgonocephalus diomedeae Lütken & Mortensen, 1899
  • Gorgonocephalus dolichodactylus Döderlein, 1911
  • Gorgonocephalus eucnemis (Müller & Troschel, 1842)
  • Gorgonocephalus lamarckii (Müller & Troschel, 1842)
  • Gorgonocephalus pustulatum (H.L. Clark, 1916)
  • Gorgonocephalus sundanus Döderlein, 1927
  • Gorgonocephalus tuberosus Döderlein, 1902

  • Gorgonocephalus The Echinoblog GORGONOCEPHALUS Because Weird is what we do

    Gorgonocephalus Gorgonocephalus Wikipdia

    References

    Gorgonocephalus Wikipedia


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