species: Ophionereis porrecta in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)

Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Echinodermata > 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

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Lizard Island Field Guide

Lizard Island area: all known taxa

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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.