Family of starfishes
The Ophidiasteridae (Greek "ophidia", Οφιδια, "of snakes", diminutive form) are a family of sea stars with about 30 genera. Occurring both in the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, ophidiasterids are greatest in diversity in the Indo-Pacific. 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. Some of these also reproduce asexually by parthenogenesis.
The name of the family is taken from the genus "Ophidiaster", whose limbs are slender, semitubular and serpentine.
Systematics.
These genera are accepted in the World Register of Marine Species:
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References.
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