Laguna Marine Laboratorp 89 
Coscinasterias sertulifera (Xantus) 
The ‘‘soft starfish’’ is very common in the tide-pools. It is one 
of the most unpleasant starfishes to handle, due to its extraordinary 
sliminess. Its soft body gives a very wide range of possibilities in 
movement. Of this species Prof. Fisher remarks: ‘‘This is the 
species (under the name Asterias ferreri) upon which Prof. H. 8. 
Jennings carried on a number of experiments at La Jolla. It is a 
member of the southern fauna, the type locality being Cape San 
Lueas. The true Coscinasterias ferreri belongs to the northern fauna 
and is not found along shore.’’ 
Pisaster capitatus (Stimpson) 
Not common in the tidal pools, but evidently much more numerous 
just at and below low tide mark. Prof. Fisher says of it: ‘‘This 
species grows to a large size and is characterized by the heavy, well 
spaced tubercles of the back. It was formerly included in the genus 
Asterias.”’ 
OPHIUROIDEA 
Ophioderma panamensis Lutken 
Apparently the largest serpent star at Laguna, and abundant in 
the lower tide-pools. Its smoothish body and commonly bright and 
varied shades of brown and yellow make it a very conspicuous species. 
Prof. Fisher remarks of it: ‘‘This is a common littoral serpent star 
from Panama to Catalina. It has a finely granulated disk and four 
genital openings on each interbrachial space.’’ 
Ophioplocus esmarki Lyman 
As this species occurred to us at Laguna, it was smaller than the 
foregoing, and usually unicolored, instead of variegated. Prof. 
Fisher records this as occurring from San Diego to Monterey. 
Ophionereis annulata LeConte 
With a heavy vestiture and comparatively small, this serpent 
star occurs in great numbers under stones in tide-pools, sometimes 
dozens under a single stone. Prof. Fisher says: ‘‘This is a common 
form from Central America to Southern California. It has long, 
cross banded arms, short arm spines, and a disk covered with fine 
overlapping seales.”’ 
Ophiothrix spiculata LeConte 
We found this species only in kelp holdfasts from three to six 
fathoms, and common in large sponge masses. It is common in these 
places and is doubtless common also under other conditions. Prof. 
