Feeding behavior by Asteroporpa annulata, a gorgonocephalid brittlestar with unbranched arms

Using the research submersible JOHNSON-SEA-LINK I, a population of the simple-armed gorgonocephalid brittlestar, Asteroporpa annulata. was discovered on a deep-water coral pinnacle off east-central Florida. Information on the habitat, population structure, circadian activity and feeding was obtained for this previously unstudied species, the only simplearmed member of the suborder Euryalina ever directly examined in situ. The brittlestars were associated with the scleractinian, Oculina varicosa. The clumps ofcoral bearing Asteroporpa usually carried only one specimen. Asteroporpa remained perched in an exposed position during the day and night.