Description: A small brittle star with very long arms which lives buried in muddy sand. Dorsal and ventral surfaces of the disc are covered with small scales. There are 4-6 conical arm spines, none widened or flattened at the tips and 2 large tentacle scales. Disc 9-10mm. arms 9x disc diameter.

Habitat: This species lives buried in muddy sand and extends its arms across the surface of the substratum, feeding on deposited material.

Distribution: Reported from all round the British Isles mostly below 10 metres but there is some doubt over records from the south.

Similar Species: Other Amphiura species are similar. Mixed populations of this species and Amphiura filiformis are common.

Key Identification Features:

• Small disc and long coiled arms.
• Buried in mud or fine sand.
• Upper and underside of disc covered with fine scales.
• 2 conspicuous tentacle scales.
• 4-6 conical arm spines.

Distribution Map from NBN: Amphiura chiajei at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Amphiura chiajei at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Amphiura chiajei at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Amphiura chiajei Forbes, 1843. AphiaID: 125073.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Echinodermata; Asterozoa; Ophiuroidea; Myophiuroida; Metophiurida; Ophintegrida; Amphilepidida; Gnathophiurina; Amphiuroidea; Amphiuridae; Amphiura