Brittle Star File

They can voluntarily shed their arms (a process called autotomy ) to escape predators and grow them back later.

They are essential ecosystem engineers, stirring up seafloor sediment and recycling nutrients. brittle star

Some species, like Ophiocoma wendtii , use light-sensitive crystals on their skin to "see" their surroundings without actual eyes. They can voluntarily shed their arms (a process