Reticulated brittle star (Ophionereis reticulata)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Ophiuroidea · Order: Amphilepidida · Family: Ophionereididae · Genus: Ophionereis.

Accepted name: Ophionereis reticulata · Authority: (Say, 1825) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 124833.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Ophiolepis nereis Lütken, 1856; Ophiura reticulata Say, 1825.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=124833 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Ophionereis reticulata. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 1–221 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated.

SeaLifeBase notes: This is an intertidal and subtidal species found in rocky bottoms, seagrass beds and coral reefs (Ref. 83942), specifically on corals Porites sp. and Madracis sp., and rubble (Ref. 86568).

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 48964) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Ophionereis-reticulata.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

751 georeferenced occurrence records for Ophionereis reticulata are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 145 distinct locations from a sample of 751 records, omitting 41 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: United States of America (234); Mexico (174); Brazil (113); Bermuda (43); Colombia (35); Belize (30); Costa Rica (19); Panama (17); Guadeloupe (11); Bahamas (8); Saint Martin (French part) (7); Puerto Rico (6); Cuba (5); Jamaica (5); Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (5).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: European waters (ERMS scope); Gulf of Mexico; Trinidad and Tobago; Jamaican Exclusive Economic Zone; Caribbean Sea; Dominican Republic Exclusive Economic Zone; Mexico; Panamanian part of the Caribbean Sea; Honduras; Venezuelan Exclusive Economic Zone; Puerto Rican Exclusive Economic Zone; Cuban Exclusive Economic Zone; Lesser Antilles; Costa Rican part of the Caribbean Sea; Haitian Exclusive Economic Zone; Belizean Exclusive Economic Zone; Mexican Exclusive Economic Zone [Caribbean part]; Eastern Caribbean; Venezuelan part of the Caribbean Sea; Honduran part of the Caribbean Sea.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2278314) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2278314&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=124833 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

Like other brittle stars, Ophionereis reticulata has a small flattened, pentagonal disc and five narrow, elongated arms. The disc can grow to a diameter of 15 mm and the arms to a length of 120 mm. The aboral (upper) surface of the disc is covered with small plates and is pale grey with a network of fine reddish-brown lines, giving it its common name.

The arms have a large number of short joints and are fringed on either side with short spines. They are white or pale grey and have a band of chocolate brown approximately every fourth joint. This colouration makes the brittle star inconspicuous when viewed against its typical background.

Distribution and habitat

Ophionereis reticulata is found in the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Its range extends from the West Indies and Bermuda to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Venezuela and Brazil. The type locality is the Florida Keys. It is found on sandy or shingle bottoms, among boulders and under rocks at depths of between 3 and 40 m.

Behaviour

Ophionereis reticulata moves about on its arms with the disc clear of the substrate. Unlike many other brittle stars, it uses its tube feet in locomotion. These are long and pointed and are the only part of the arm to come in contact with the seabed. For bodily movement, the tips of the tube feet are extended forwards by bending them at right angles at the base.

They are then straightened as the brittle star raises itself onto the points. By repeating these actions, the brittle star can creep forward at up to 50 cm per minute. Any arm or pair of arms can be in the lead.

Ophionereis reticulata is an herbivore and filter feeder, but detritus and fragments of polychaete worm have also been found in its stomach. It mainly consumes red and green algae and diatoms which it catches by raising one or more of its arms into the passing water current while keeping its disc concealed.

If an arm is attacked by a predator it can easily break off in a process known as autotomy, and the brittle star can later regenerate a new limb. The sexes are separate in Ophionereis reticulata and spawning takes place once a year. The ophiopluteus larvae are planktonic and after passing through several larval stages, settle on the seabed and undergo metamorphosis into juveniles.

Source: Wikipedia: Ophionereis reticulata — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophionereis_reticulata (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.