Taxonomic analysis of the genital plates and associated structures in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata)
Author
Stöhr, Sabine
text
European Journal of Taxonomy
2024
2024-05-14
933
1
98
https://europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/download/2525/11335
journal article
10.5852/ejt.2024.933.2525
2118-9773
11198874
8F720F2B-BFBC-4CA1-BFF2-A2B8C7C8D3E1
Genus
Ophiochiton
Lyman, 1878
Fig. 24A–C
Type
species
Ophiochiton fastigatus
Lyman, 1878
.
Examined species
Ophiochiton fastigatus
.
Oral GP
Externally visible as large, round scales, but not examined.
Adradial GP
Weakly cleaver-shaped, flat, blade-like proximal part, distal end depressed with high edges, a large rough patch on adradial surface towards dorsal edge, and a large hole in middle of distal part on adradial surface.
Abradial GP
Hockey-stick-shaped, blade-like, flat, as long as adGP, distal end angled, pointed, distal dorso-adradial edge with depression. Lines abradial edge of genital slit (= part of edge of interradial disc).
Oral shields
Not examined.
Radial shield
Not examined.
Remarks
The available pre-existing images allow only limited assessment of the articular structures of the adradial GP.
Martynov (2010)
described them as a condyle bordered by a low ridge but without figures, whereas
Matsumoto (1917)
wrote that the radial shield and adradial GP articulate with two condyles and one pit. The images presented here appear to be the first published SEM images of genital plates of
Ophiochiton
.