A brittle star (Ophiocreas sp.) clings to the branches of a beautiful, umbrella-like Metallogorgia coral. These two organisms have an interesting relationship — they are seen together starting as juveniles and continue on to grow into adulthood together. Exactly how this relationship is established is not well understood.
Brittle Star Living on Coral
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts. Download larger version (jpg, 1 MB).

A brittle star (Ophiocreas sp.) clings to the branches of a beautiful, umbrella-like Metallogorgia coral. These two organisms have an interesting relationship — they are seen together starting as juveniles and continue on to grow into adulthood together. Exactly how this relationship is established is not well understood.

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