Ecology Summary - Ophiothela venusta

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Ecology of Ophiothela venusta

Main Ref.	George, D., 2005
Remarks	Uncommon; invariably occurs on the branches of gorgonian sea fans (Ref. 102838). Found on coral reefs (Ref. 107862). Common in rocky crevices and on sponges. Possibly a suspension or deposit feeder (Ref. 107731). Members of the family Ophiothrichidae are microphagous (Ref. 108108).

Aquatic zones / Water bodies

	Marine - Neritic	Marine - Oceanic	Brackishwater	Freshwater
Marine zones / Brackish and freshwater bodies	supra-littoral zone littoral zone sublittoral zone	epipelagic mesopelagic epipelagic abyssopelagic hadopelagic	estuaries/lagoons/brackish seas mangroves marshes/swamps	rivers/streams lakes/ponds caves exclusively in caves

Highighted items on the list are where Ophiothela venusta may be found.

Habitat

Substrate	Benthic;
Substrate Ref.
Special habitats	Beds: rock; Coral Reefs; Corals: soft corals
Special habitats Ref.	George, D., 2005

Associations

Ref.
Associations
Associated with
Association remarks
Parasitism

feeding

Feeding type	mainly plants/detritus (troph. 2-2.19)
Feeding type Ref.	Jangoux, M. and J.M. Lawrence, 1982
Feeding habit
Feeding habit Ref.

Trophic Level(s)

Estimation method	original sample		unfished population		Remark
Estimation method	Troph	s.e.	Troph	s.e.	Remark
From diet composition
From individual food items	2.00	0.00			Trophic level and s.e. inferred from exclusive plant/detritus food items.
Ref.