Brittle star: characteristics
![Picture](/uploads/1/9/3/5/19350031/7964393.png?496)
- Related to starfish, use arms for locomotion on seafloor
- Sexes are separate in most species
- Gonads located in discs, open into pouches between arms
- Fertilization is external, gametes released into surrounding waters
- Some females carry dwarf males, cling to it with the mouth
- Brittle stars sexually mature in 2-3 years and end up living around 5 years
- Some stars regenerate as well as use fission to produce up to 15 new individuals every year