 Many of the genera in this family exhibit brilliant colors and patterns, which sometimes can be attributed to aposematism and crypsis to protect themselves from predators.Some ophidiasterids possess remarkable powers of regeneration, enabling them to either reproduce asexually or to survive serious damage made by predators or forces of nature (an example for this is the genus "Linckia").Some species belonging to "Linckia", "Ophidiaster"  and "Phataria"  shed single arms that regenerate the disc and the remaining rays to form a complete individual.