Deep-sea ophiuroids (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiurida) from the Gulf of Cadiz (NE Atlantic)
Author
Rodrigues, Clara F.
Author
Paterson, Gordon L. J.
Author
Cabrinovic, Andrew
Author
Cunha, Marina R.
text
Zootaxa
2011
2754
1
26
journal article
10.5281/zenodo.276727
dfcdb58a-4300-4aae-ae13-125628f51de7
1175-5326
276727
Ophiactis balli
(
Thompson, 1840
)
Material examined.
Al Idrisi MV, TTR12, stn AT412, 2 ind. (
DBUA
001065.01); West of
Gibraltar
Strait, TTR14, stn AT550, 1 ind. (
DBUA
001066.01).
Ecology and distribution.
This is an Eastern Atlantic species known from depths of
60–400 m
(
Paterson 1985
), generally found in crevices or amongst sessile invertebrates with the body concealed and the arms extended out into the water. It is characteristic of exposed or moderately exposed rocky situations especially on limestone (
Picton & Morrow 2007
). In the Gulf of Cadiz it was collected within its known bathymetric range from limestones at the crater of Al Idrisi MV and from carbonate chimneys in an exposed site (high bottom currents) West of
Gibraltar
Strait.