Gorgonocephalidae is a family of basket stars. They have characteristic many-branched arms.

Gorgonocephalidae are the largest ophiuroidss (Gorgonocephalus eucnemis can measure up to 70cm in arm length with a disk diameter of 14cm).

Systematics and phylogeny

The family is divided into the following genera:

• Asteroporpa Örsted & Lütken in: Lütken, 1856

• Astracme Döderlein, 1927

• Astroboa Döderlein, 1911

• Astrocaneum Döderlein, 1911

• Astrochalcis Koehler, 1905

• Astrochele Verrill, 1878

• Astrochlamys Koehler, 1912

• Astrocladus Verrill, 1899

• Astroclon Lyman, 1879

• Astrocnida Lyman, 1872

• Astrocrius Döderlein, 1927

• Astrocyclus Döderlein, 1927

• Astrodendrum Döderlein, 1911

• Astrodictyum Döderlein, 1927

• Astroglymma Döderlein, 1927

• Astrogomphus Lyman, 1870

• Astrogordius Döderlein, 1911

• Astrohamma Döderlein, 1930

• Astrohelix Döderlein, 1930

• Astroniwa McKnight, 2000

• Astrophyton Fleming, 1828

• Astroplegma Döderlein, 1927

• Astrosierra Baker, 1980

• Astrospartus Döderlein, 1911

• Astrothamnus Matsumoto, 1915

• Astrothorax Döderlein, 1911

• Astrothrombus H.L. Clark, 1909

• Astrotoma Lyman, 1875

• Astrozona Döderlein, 1930

• Conocladus H.L. Clark, 1909

• Gorgonocephalus Leach, 1815

• Ophiocrene Bell, 1894

• Ophiozeta Koehler, 1930

• Schizostella A.H. Clark, 1952

Fossil record of Gorgonocephalidae dates back to Miocene.

References