45 — Snake's tail brittle star, Ophiopsammus maculata

Ophiopsammus maculata, Mount Beach,
Mt. Maunganui, July 2018.

Ophiopsammus maculata (Verrill, 1869) is a large purple brittle star found throughout New Zealand. Occasionally seen at them at low tide, they are more common sub-tidally. They have been called snake's tail brittle stars, but this name doesn't seem to be in common usage.

They are quite large and the central disc can be about 50mm across. These examples come from just below low tide around the base of Mt. Maunganui. Overall, they range between 20 and 30 cm across.

Ophiopsammus maculata Mt. Maunganui, 10/16

Ophiopsammus maculata Mt. Maunganui, 10/16

Ophiopsammus maculata Mt. Maunganui, 10/16

More info:

NIWA Echinoderm Identification guide