Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the continental shelf off Angola and Namibia
Author
Glück, Franziska U.
Author
Stöhr, Sabine
Author
Bochert, Ralf
Author
Zettler, Michael L.
text
Zootaxa
2012
3475
1
20
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.282230
bb15ffdf-3104-4e60-932b-77e650707a27
1175-5326
282230
Ophiopsila annulosa
(
M. Sars, 1859
)
Fig. 4
C, D
West African records.
Koehler 1914
: 206 (recorded on the basis of one arm and arm spines from off Sinoe,
Liberia
).
Material examined.
St. 107: dredge sampling,
9°04.896´S
,
12°56.964´E
;
1 specimen
,
7 mm
. Depth:
36 m
.
This single specimen appeared just once and was the only ophiuroid at this station.
Diagnosis.
This species is well in agreement with the original description. Unfortunately four of five arms are broken close to the disc. However, this is the first individual with complete disc and in comparatively good condition known from
South-West Africa
. As a characteristic feature the jaw bears a vertical cluster of spines at its apex accompanied by a continuous series of lateral oral papillae, which are quite big at the proximal end of the jaw and getting smaller towards the distal end. The inner tentacle scale is about twice as long as the arm joint; there are 10–12 arm spines.
Distribution.
Ophiopsila annulosa
has been found in the western Mediterranean and the eastern Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth to
Morocco
. It probably exists also off
Liberia
. Its depth range is
10 to
100 m
. It is the first time that this species was found as far south off West Africa as described here.