Description: A small inconspicuous brittle star found commonly amongst sessile invertebrates, beneath boulders, etc. The disc is circular and the arms relatively short and thin. The disc is covered with scales and the radial plates are half-moon shaped and conspicuous. There are four short conical arm spines and two tentacle scales. Disc 3-5mm., arms 4x disc diameter.

Habitat: Found commonly amongst algae, bryozoans etc. intertidally and in shallow water and under shells, stones and boulders.

Distribution: Found all round the British Isles.

Key Identification Features:

• Circular disc and spindly arms.
• Small size.

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

iNaturalist: Amphipholis squamata at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Amphipholis squamata at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Amphipholis squamata (Delle Chiaje, 1828). AphiaID: 125064.

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