Ophioneries reticulata
Ophioneries reticulata, the reticulated brittle sea star, can be found in the Caribbean from Bermuda to Brazil. They usually dwell in shallow waters but have been found up to 220 meters below sea level. They like to stay under rocks and coral or in the sand. They do not like the light and have lenses on the ends of their tentacles that they use to sense light.
Their tentacles are used to move and they can travel at up to 50sm per minute. They eat by spreading their arms and filter feeding. They can also voluntarily detatch their arms to escape from predators.
Little is known about the reproductive cycle of these sea stars but it is assumed they breed in a similar way to other brittle sea stars. This means that they release their gametes from their genital sac. Their sperma and egg meet at random. Once the egg is fertilized, it grows into a sea star that can be up to 15mm.
Their tentacles are used to move and they can travel at up to 50sm per minute. They eat by spreading their arms and filter feeding. They can also voluntarily detatch their arms to escape from predators.
Little is known about the reproductive cycle of these sea stars but it is assumed they breed in a similar way to other brittle sea stars. This means that they release their gametes from their genital sac. Their sperma and egg meet at random. Once the egg is fertilized, it grows into a sea star that can be up to 15mm.