Definition
brittlestars
noun
- Marine animals with a central disk and five long, thin, flexible arms, related to starfish and sea urchins.
Usage: plural form; singular is brittle star; also called ophiuroids; marine biology term
Examples
- Brittlestars are common inhabitants of the ocean floor.
- The brittlestars moved quickly across the seafloor using their flexible arms.
- Unlike starfish, brittlestars can detach their arms as a defense mechanism.
- Marine biologists collected several brittlestars during the deep-sea expedition.
- Brittlestars feed on small particles and organic debris in the water.
- The aquarium's touch tank featured brittlestars alongside other echinoderms.