Temporary expansion to shelf depths rather than an onshore-offshore trend: the shallow-water rise and demise of the modern deep-sea brittle star family Ophiacanthidae (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)
Author
Thuy, Ben
text
European Journal of Taxonomy
2013
2013-07-02
48
1
242
journal article
22249
10.5852/ejt.2013.48
02866e62-ab61-4cf4-9d98-0248e251084e
2118-9773
3822836
E7080722-E348-448D-96E5-D537F4865BB5
Genus
Ophiologimus
H.L.
Clark, 1911
Type
species
Ophiologimus hexactis
H.L.
Clark, 1911
, by original designation.
Diagnosis
LAPs with large, conspicuous tentacle notches; spine articulations not on elevated ridge and not sunken into depressions or notches; ventral portion of lateral arm plate strongly protruding ventroproximalwards; generally no spurs on outer proximal and inner distal edges of LAP.
Remarks
The LAPs of extant species of
Ophiologimus
are characterised by very large, generally deeply incised tentacle notches, the absence of a strong constriction or a strongly elevated distal portion, the moderately large, freestanding spine articulations and the relatively simple ridge on the inner side devoid of strongly widened parts. Closest similarities are shared with the LAPs of extinct
Lapidaster
gen. nov.
, which differ mainly in the possession of at least one spur on the outer proximal and inner distal edges. As discussed above, it seems highly probable that
Ophiologimus
and
Lapidaster
gen. nov.
come from a single lineage, in view of the striking similarities in LAP morphology displayed by both genera.