DSC_3630 Long-armed brittle star (Amphiura aster) a burrowing brittle star that lives buried in spring tidal flats. The brittle stars arm's extend up to the sand surface, where each slender arm tip protrudes above the sand, and sweeps across the surface collecting food particles, which are conveyed back down the arms to the sea star's mouth, located beneath the small central cushion. Tokerau Beach, Karikari Peninsula
DSC_3637 Long-armed brittle star (Amphiura aster) a burrowing brittle star that lives buried in spring tidal flats. The brittle stars arm's extend up to the sand surface, where each slender arm tip protrudes above the sand, and sweeps across the surface collecting food particles, which are conveyed back down the arms to the sea star's mouth, located beneath the small central cushion. Tokerau Beach, Karikari Peninsula
DSC_3631 Long-armed brittle star (Amphiura aster) a burrowing brittle star that lives buried in spring tidal flats. The brittle stars arm's extend up to the sand surface, where each slender arm tip protrudes above the sand, and sweeps across the surface collecting food particles, which are conveyed back down the arms to the sea star's mouth, located beneath the small central cushion. Tokerau Beach, Karikari Peninsula