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An escape response behaviour in the brittle star ophiopteris papillosa (echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

This study describes a behaviour of the brittle star Ophiopteris papillosa and tests two hypotheses concerning its possible function. During this behaviour an individual rapidly raises all five arms above its disk as the brittle star falls through the water column. The final position, with the five arms held tightly together above the disk, is termed the tulip position. Individuals in the tulip position fell faster, thus reaching the bottom sooner, than individuals not in the tulip position when tested in the laboratory. Individuals in the tulip position were consumed less frequently than individuals not in the tulip position when tested in the field. I conclude that the tulip position increases the likelihood of a brittle star reaching the protective cover of the bottom and escaping fatal predation.