Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789)
Stöhr, S.; O’Hara, T.; Thuy, B. (Eds) (2026). World Ophiuroidea Database. Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=125131 on 2026-03-20
accepted
Valid name (ICZN) or name considered to be taxonomically correct (ICBN)
Species
Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli
Delle Chiaje S. (1823-1831). Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli. Napoli: Fratelli Fernandes (vol. 1), and Società Tipografica (vol. 2-4). Vol. 1, pp. i-xii, 1-84 [1823], pp. 1-184 [1824]; vol. 2, pp. [1-4] + 185-224 [1825], pp. 225-444 [1826]; vol. 3, pp. i-xx, pp. 1-232 [1828]; vol. 4, pp. i-vii [1831], 1-116 [1830], pp. 117-214 [1831]; pl. 1-4; pl. 1-69 [date?], pl. 70-109 [1830][dates according to Sherborn, 1922].
Zoologia Danica seu animalium Daniae et Norvegiae rariorum ac minus notorum descriptiones et historia
Müller O. F. (1789). Zoologia Danica seu animalium Daniae et Norvegiae rariorum ac minus notorum descriptiones et historia. Volumen tertium: pp. [1-2], 1-71, pls. 81-120. Havniae [Copenhague], N. Möller.
British Zoology, vol. IV. Crustacea. Mollusca. Testacea.
Pennant, T. (1777). British Zoology, vol. IV. Crustacea. Mollusca. Testacea. London. i-viii, 1-154, pls. 1-93.
Forbes, E. (1839). On the Asteriadae of the Irish Sea. Memoirs of the Wernerian Society. 8: 114-143.
System der Asteriden.1. Asteriae. 2. Ophiuridae
Müller, J. and Troschel, F. H. (1842). System der Asteriden.1. Asteriae. 2. Ophiuridae. Vieweg: Braunschweig. xxx+134 pp. 12 pls.
Förteckning öfver uti Vestindien af Dr A. Goës samt under korvetten Josefinas expedition i Atlantiska Oceanen samlade Ophiurider
Ljungman, A.V. 1872. Förteckning öfver uti Vestindien af Dr A. Goës samt under korvetten Josefinas expedition i Atlantiska Oceanen samlade Ophiurider. Öfversigt af Kungliga Vetenskapsakademiens Förhandlingar 1871, 28(5), 615-658.
Beschreibungen neuer oder weniger bekannter Seesterne und Seeigel
Grube, E. (1857). Beschreibungen neuer oder weniger bekannter Seesterne und Seeigel. 27: 1-50.
Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli / di Stefano delle Chiaje
Delle Chiaje, S. (1828). Memorie sulla storia e notomia degli animali senza vertebre del regno di Napoli / di Stefano delle Chiaje. Stamperia della societa tipografica, Napoli. vol. 3: xx + 232, pls. 32-49.
Actinien, Echinodermen und Würmer des Adriatischen- und Mittelmeers nach eigenen Sammlungen beschrieben.
Grube, A.E. (1840). Actinien, Echinodermen und Würmer des Adriatischen- und Mittelmeers nach eigenen Sammlungen beschrieben. Königsberg: J.H. Bon. 92 pp., 12 figs.
Assessing the Motile Fauna of Eastern Mediterranean Marine Caves
Digenis, M.; Ragkousis, M.; Dimitriadis, C.; Katsanevakis, S.; Gerovasileiou, V. (2025). Assessing the Motile Fauna of Eastern Mediterranean Marine Caves. Fishes. 10(8): 383.
Referentiematrices en Ecotoopoppervlaktes Annex bij de Evaluatiemethodiek Schelde-estuarium Studie naar “Ecotoopoppervlaktes en intactness index”. [Reference matrices and Ecotope areas Annex to the Evaluation methodology Scheldt estuary Study on “Ecotope areas and intactness index”.
Maris, T., O. Beauchard, S. Van Damme, E. Van den Bergh, S. Wijnhoven & P. Meire. (2013). Referentiematrices en Ecotoopoppervlaktes Annex bij de Evaluatiemethodiek Schelde-estuarium Studie naar “Ecotoopoppervlaktes en intactness index”. [Reference matrices and Ecotope areas Annex to the Evaluation methodology Scheldt estuary Study on “Ecotope areas and intactness index”. Monitor Taskforce Publication Series, 2013-01. NIOZ: Yerseke. 35 pp.
Bio-environmental research group; Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries research (ILVO), Belgium; (2015): Epibenthos and demersal fish monitoring at long-term monitoring stations in the Belgian part of the North Sea.
Ophiuroidea viventia huc usque cognita enumerat
Ljungman, A. (1867). Ophiuroidea viventia huc usque cognita enumerat. Öfversigt af Kgl. Vetenskaps-Akademiens Förhandlingar 1866. 23(9): 303-336.
Clark, A. M.; Courtman-Stock, J. (1976). The echinoderms of southern Africa. Publ. No. 766. British Museum (Nat. Hist), London. 277 pp.
Southward, E.C.; Campbell, A.C. (2006). [Echinoderms: keys and notes for the identification of British species]. Synopses of the British fauna (new series), 56. Field Studies Council: Shrewsbury, UK. ISBN 1-85153-269-2. 272 pp.
Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]
Muller, Y. (2004). Faune et flore du littoral du Nord, du Pas-de-Calais et de la Belgique: inventaire. [Coastal fauna and flora of the Nord, Pas-de-Calais and Belgium: inventory]. Commission Régionale de Biologie Région Nord Pas-de-Calais: France. 307 pp.
NEAT (North East Atlantic Taxa): Scandinavian Echinodermata Check-List (Comp.)
Hansson, H. G. (1998). NEAT (North East Atlantic Taxa): Scandinavian Echinodermata Check-List (Comp.).
Echinodermata, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,
Hansson, H.G. (2001). Echinodermata, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels,. 50: pp. 336-351.
Notes on some echinoderms from southern Africa
Clark, A. M. (1974). Notes on some echinoderms from southern Africa. Bulletin of the British Museum of Natural History (Zoology). 26(6): 423-487, 3 pls, 16 figs, 1 map, 3 tables.
Proposals for stabilization of the names of some common European Ophiuroidea Z.N.(S.) 1772
Clark, A. M. (1967). Proposals for stabilization of the names of some common European Ophiuroidea Z.N.(S.) 1772. Bulletin Zoological Nomenclature. 24(1): 41-49.
Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery
Looby, A.; Erbe, C.; Bravo, S.; Cox, K.; Davies, H. L.; Di Iorio, L.; Jézéquel, Y.; Juanes, F.; Martin, C. W.; Mooney, T. A.; Radford, C.; Reynolds, L. K.; Rice, A. N.; Riera, A.; Rountree, R.; Spriel, B.; Stanley, J.; Vela, S.; Parsons, M. J. G. (2023). Global inventory of species categorized by known underwater sonifery. Scientific Data. 10(1).
Picture of Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard, 1789)
Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard, in O.F. Müller, 1789)
Ophiothrix fragilis (juveniles on sponge, probably Halichondria panicea)
The brittle star Ophiothrix fragilis sitting on a stone filtrating. Photo: Bengt Lundve.
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Mediterranean Sea
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - North Sea
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - North East Atlantic
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Oostende
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - De Panne
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. abildgaardi Koehler, 1921 - English Channel
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Birkenfels (shipwreck)
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. pentaphyllum Pennant, 1777 - Boulogne-sur-Mer
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - British Isles
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Calais
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. lusitanica Ljungman, 1872 - France
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Grevelingen
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Knokke-Heist
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Helgoland
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Oosterschelde
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Wadden Sea
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Wimereux
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. pentaphyllum Pennant, 1777 - Wimereux
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Zeeland
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - European waters (ERMS scope)
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - South Africa (country)
Distribution for Ophiothrix triglochis Müller & Troschel, 1842 - South Africa (country)
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Greek Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Irish Exclusive economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Azores Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis f. nuda Madsen, 1970 - Cape Verdean Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. echinata (Delle Chiaje, 1828) - French Exclusive Economic Zone [Mediterranean part]
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - French Exclusive Economic Zone [Atlantic part]
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. echinata (Delle Chiaje, 1828) - French Exclusive Economic Zone [Atlantic part]
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. abildgaardi Koehler, 1921 - Norwegian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Belgian Exclusive Economic Zone
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis var. pentaphyllum Pennant, 1777 - United Kingdom
Distribution for Ophiothrix fragilis (Abildgaard in O.F. Müller, 1789) - Kerkennah Islands
Distribution for Ophiothrix triglochis Müller & Troschel, 1842 - Port Natal
Taxon Description Functional group for Taxon denoted by name 123084
Taxon Description Body size for Taxon denoted by name 125131
Taxon Description Supporting structure & enclosure for Taxon denoted by name 1806
Taxon Description AMBI ecological group for Taxon denoted by name 125131
Taxon Description Body size (qualitative) for Taxon denoted by name 123084
Taxon Description Species exhibits underwater soniferous behaviour for Taxon denoted by name 125131
Taxon Description Nomenclature code for Taxon denoted by name 2
Specification Context: Life stage adult
Specification Context: Unit mm
Specification Context: Type maximum
Specification Context: Dimension diameter
Specification Context: Dimension length
Specification Context: Unit cm
Specification Context: Locality (MRGID) 1920
Specification Context: Structure Solid
Specification Context: Composition High-magnesium calcite