species: Ophionereis porrecta in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Animalia > Echinodermata > Asterozoa > Ophiuroidea > Ophiurida > Ophionereididae > Ophionereis > Ophionereis porrecta (gallery)
Ophionereis porrecta


©Lyle Vail: Ophionereis porrecta at Lizard Island, under rubble, disc diameter 15 mm

©Anne Hoggett: Ophionereis porrecta at Lizard Island, under rubble, disc diameter 15 mm

©Anne Hoggett: Ophionereis porrecta from under rubble at Lizard Island, disc diameter about 10 mm

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Ophiuroidea
Order Ophiurida
Family Ophionereididae
Genus Ophionereis
Species Ophionereis porrecta

Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

Colours

         

Distinguishing features

The arms of Ophionereis species arise below the disc giving a characteristic appearance. Ophionereis porrecta is the common large member of this genus at Lizard Island, disc diameter 10 to 15 mm with arms up to 8 times as long. Arm spines are smooth, shorter than the dorsal arm plates are wide, and are not appressed to the arms.

Dorsal arm plates are broader proximally than distally. Supplementary dorsal arm plates present. Genital slits lined with fine papillae. These characters are difficult or impossible to see in life or in photos of living animals.

Size

  • Up to 1.5 cm (disc diameter)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Web resources

References

References that assist with identification

  • Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.