Ophiocoma erinaceus
Ophiocoma erinaceus is an echinoderm, more specifically a brittle star of the Ophiocomidae family.[1]
| Ophiocoma erinaceus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Echinodermata |
| Class: | Ophiuroidea |
| Order: | Ophiacanthida |
| Family: | Ophiocomidae |
| Genus: | Ophiocoma |
| Species: | O. erinaceus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ophiocoma erinaceus Müller & Troschel, 1842 | |
Description
Ophiocoma erinaceus is black with red tube feet.[1][2] On the arm segments, there are three arm spines on one segment while the other has four. The next segment occurs in reverse order.[3] In Hawaii, it is the largest brittle star, with sizes of the arms going up to 5 ½ inches, and the disk can be about 1 inch in diameter.[1]
Distribution & Habitat
Ophiocoma erinaceus is distributed within the Indo-Pacific oceans and can be found under rocks and stones.[1]
Human Uses
The saponin and antioxidants Ophiocoma erinaceus produces is the subject of interest to researchers as it has been studied for medical research.[4] It has been observed that the saponin extracted from Ophiocoma erinaceus can decrease and inhibit the growth of HeLa human cervix cancer cells.[4]
References
- Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures : a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. [Honolulu, Hawaii]: Mutual Pub. ISBN 1-56647-220-2. OCLC 41975146.
- Benavides-Serrato, Milena; O´Hara, Timothy D. (2008). "A new species in the Ophiocoma erinaceus complex from the South-west Pacific Ocean (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiocomidae)". Memoirs of Museum Victoria. 65: 51–56. doi:10.24199/j.mmv.2008.65.4. ISSN 1447-2546.
- O'Hara, Timothy D.; Hugall, Andrew F.; Cisternas, Paula A.; Boissin, Emilie; Bribiesca-Contreras, Guadalupe; Sellanes, Javier; Paulay, Gustav; Byrne, Maria (2019). "Phylogenomics, life history and morphological evolution of ophiocomid brittlestars". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 130: 67–80. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2018.10.003. PMID 30308280. S2CID 52965126.
- "Hemolytic and cytotoxic effects of saponin like compounds isolated from Persian Gulf brittle star (Ophiocoma erinaceus)" (PDF). Journal of Coastal Life Medicine. 2014-06-30. doi:10.12980/JCLM.2.2014JCLM-2014-0056.