Astrophyton

/əˈstrɑfɪtɑn/ noun

Definition

A genus of brittle stars (sea creatures with star-shaped bodies and long, thin arms), found in deep ocean waters.

Etymology

From Greek astro- (star) and python (snake), referencing their star-shaped bodies with long, snake-like arms. Named in the 18th century by marine biologists studying deep-sea organisms.

Kelly Says

Astrophyton species can have arms spanning several feet and live at crushing ocean depths where almost no light reaches—their name makes sense both for their shape and their connection to the 'starry' night of the abyss!

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