Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata (characterized by tube feet, a calcite body-covering, and a five-part symmetrical body)
Subphylum: Asterozoa (characterized by a star-shaped body and radially divergent axes of symmetry)
Class: Ophiuroidea (the arms are usually clearly demarcated from the central disk and perform whiplike locomotor movements)
Order: Euryalida (generally have the arms branched)
Family: Gorgonocephalidae (family of basket stars, they have many-branched arms, largest ophiuroids)
Genus: Gorgonocephalus (basket stars)
Species: Gorgonocephalus Caputmedusae
Phylum: Echinodermata (characterized by tube feet, a calcite body-covering, and a five-part symmetrical body)
Subphylum: Asterozoa (characterized by a star-shaped body and radially divergent axes of symmetry)
Class: Ophiuroidea (the arms are usually clearly demarcated from the central disk and perform whiplike locomotor movements)
Order: Euryalida (generally have the arms branched)
Family: Gorgonocephalidae (family of basket stars, they have many-branched arms, largest ophiuroids)
Genus: Gorgonocephalus (basket stars)
Species: Gorgonocephalus Caputmedusae
Discovery
This animal was discovered on a six week voyage aboard the research ship James Cook in 2010. This took place along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Iceland and Azores (approximately 1800ft below sea level). During this trip, ten other new species were also discovered.
Characteristics
The basket star has a central disk covered with distinct spines, and may reach a diameter of up to 9 cm. The five, heavily branched arms, have as many as 5,000 arm tips and can reach a diameter of approximately 50 cm. The color is pale yellow or beige. When disturbed the arms curl up and the appearance changes from a bush to a tight ball. The Gorgon Head Starfish lives off shrimp and plankton, and can use its unique alien-like tendrils for movement. The basket star commonly lives on the bottom of the ocean. It captures its prey with a rapidly flexing movement of the arm, first encircling it and then securing it with the tiny sharp hooks that line each arm. From there, the meal is moved inward toward the Gorgon Head Starfish's mouth, which is located on the lower surface of the central disk that is its main body.
Distribution
- ICELAND
- IRELAND (WEST IRELAND)
- NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN (EUROPEAN WATERS (ERMS SCOPE), SHETLAND ISLANDS, UK EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE)
- NORTH SEA (ORKNEY ISLANDS)
- NORWAY
- UNITED KINGDOM (BRITISH ISLES, NORTH SCOTLAND)
- SWEDISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE
- IRELAND (WEST IRELAND)
- NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN (EUROPEAN WATERS (ERMS SCOPE), SHETLAND ISLANDS, UK EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE)
- NORTH SEA (ORKNEY ISLANDS)
- NORWAY
- UNITED KINGDOM (BRITISH ISLES, NORTH SCOTLAND)
- SWEDISH EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE
Sources
"9 newly discovered species: Gorgon head starfish."
MNN. N.p., 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/9-newly-discovered-species/gorgon-head-starfish
"Gorgon's Head - Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae." Gorgon's Head. N.p., n.d. Web. 25
Apr. 2014. http://www.seawater.no/fauna/echinodermata/caputmedusae.html
Johnson, Bobby. "5 Exciting Recently-Discovered Species of Marine Life." Diverwire. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
http://www.diverwire.com/post/scuba-environment-news/5-exciting-recently-discovered-species-of-marine-life/
MNN. N.p., 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/photos/9-newly-discovered-species/gorgon-head-starfish
"Gorgon's Head - Gorgonocephalus caputmedusae." Gorgon's Head. N.p., n.d. Web. 25
Apr. 2014. http://www.seawater.no/fauna/echinodermata/caputmedusae.html
Johnson, Bobby. "5 Exciting Recently-Discovered Species of Marine Life." Diverwire. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.
http://www.diverwire.com/post/scuba-environment-news/5-exciting-recently-discovered-species-of-marine-life/