Ecology 

Local Habitats

Ophiactis savignyi are benthic organisms, found mostly on the reef crest of coral reefs, but they can also be found elsewhere on coral reefs, in seagrass habitats and in mangrove habitats (Emson & Wilkie 1984; Roy & Sponer 2002). 

Associations and Microhabitats

O. savignyi were found under and inside coral boulders at the intertidal coral reef crest at Heron Island in large clusters. The coral rubble serves as a shelter from predators and from the extreme environmental conditions on the reef crest including exposure during low tide and sunlight. This species can also be found in association with sponges, especially at the exhalant passages where it can capture food missed by the sponge (Emson & Wilkie 1984; McGovern 2002). 

Figure 1: Underside of coral rubble where O. savignyi can be found, courtesy of Sheridan Rabbitt.