Ophiopsammus

Ophiopsammus is an extinct genus of brittle stars belonging to the family Ophiacanthidae. These marine invertebrates existed during the Jurassic period.

Ophiopsammus fossils are primarily found in marine sediments from the Jurassic, specifically dating back to the Oxfordian stage. Their fossilized remains offer valuable insights into the evolutionary history and paleobiogeography of ophiuroids.

Key characteristics of Ophiopsammus include their relatively small size and distinctive arm plates. Their morphology is used to differentiate them from other contemporary brittle star genera. Detailed studies of arm articulation and skeletal structure are often used in taxonomic classification and phylogenetic analyses.

Their existence in the Jurassic period suggests a marine environment dominated by other invertebrates and early marine reptiles. Ophiopsammus likely played a role as a detritivore or scavenger within its specific ecological niche.