About Ophionereis reticulata (Say, 1825)
Like other brittle stars, Ophionereis reticulata has a small, flattened, pentagonal central disc and five narrow, elongated arms. The disc can reach a diameter of 15 mm (0.6 in), while the arms can grow to a length of 120 mm (4.7 in). The aboral (upper) surface of the disc is covered in small plates; it is pale grey with a network of fine reddish-brown lines, which is the source of this species' common name. The arms have many short joints, and are fringed on both sides with short spines. They are white or pale grey, with a chocolate brown band located approximately every fourth joint. This colour pattern helps the brittle star stay inconspicuous against its typical habitat background. Ophionereis reticulata is distributed in the western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. Its range stretches from the West Indies and Bermuda south to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, Venezuela, and Brazil. The species' type locality is the Florida Keys. It inhabits sandy or shingle bottoms, areas among boulders, and locations under rocks, at depths between 3 and 40 metres (9.8 and 131.2 ft).
