Description:
Amphipholis squamata is a small species that grows only to 0.2 inches disk diameter, with arms approximately 0.4 inches in length.  There are no primary plates on the dorsal side of the disk; coarse scales line the disk instead.  Radial shields are present and are characterized by their nearly circular outline.  Joints of the arms have lateral plates that separate the dorsal and ventral arm plates.  These lateral plates have ridges on them from which 3 arm spines project.  The ridges themselves lend a beaded appearance to the arms.  Body color is highly variable, and may be in the range from white, to orange, yellow, tan, reddish, or gray.  Arms are generally pale brown, tan-yellow, or white, often with a thin banding pattern in brown or green. 

Habitat:
Amphipholis squamata is at home in a wide variety of habitats and inhabits depths from the intertidal zone to 4,350 feet;  though individuals found at depth are seldom mature specimens.  Typical habitats include coral reefs, sand or rock rubble, seagrass meadows, algae beds, and mangroves.  It tolerates brackish waters as well as hypersaline waters and is known to form colonies among attached estuarine species such as sponges, bryozoans and mussels. 

Similar Species:
There is much confusion surrounding this species and its relatedness to other Amphipholis species. 

Range:  
Amphipholis squamata is highly cosmopolitan and occurs in all but the coldest polar waters.  It has not, however, been reported from all of the Caribbean islands.

*formerly Axiognathus squamatus.