Ophiolycus Mortensen, 1933

Stöhr, Sabine, 2024, Taxonomic analysis of the genital plates and associated structures in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata), European Journal of Taxonomy 933, pp. 1-98 : 28-29

Genus Ophiolycus Mortensen, 1933

Fig. 11

Type species

Ophioscolex dentatus Mortensen, 1933 .

Examined species

Ophiolycus purpureus (Düben & Koren, 1846) .

Oral GP

Oval, twice as long as wide, flat, scale-like. Articulating with oral shield on latero-distal inner surface below horizontal ridge.

Adradial GP

Bar-like elongated, with middle kink, distal half thickened, wider than thinner proximal half. In middle an abradially protruding edge at which abGP attaches. Ventral edge thicker than dorsal edge. Distal end without specific articular structures.

Abradial GP

Half as long as adGP, blade-like flat, thin, ventral edge slightly convex, dorsal edge straight, distal edge slanting, without specific articular structure (flat stereom), proximal edge tapered.

Oral shield

Internally proximal half thickened, demarcated from distal half by horizontal ridge, distal half thinner. Madreporite (specimen of 11.9 mm dd) with constricted and flatter distal portion on inner side, separated from proximal half by horizontal ridge, one large hole in distal part, two large irregular openings in proximal part, hydropore in one distal lateral edge. Madreporite from smaller specimen (9 mm dd) similar, but with 2 smaller openings in proximal part.

Radial shield

Rectangular, three times as long as wide, no specific articular structures (flat stereom).

Figures

Fig. 11. Ophioscolecidae Lütken, 1869, Ophiolycus purpureus (Düben & Koren, 1846), SEM, unless otherwise noted.A. Mouth parts in situ (bleached, arrowheads mark oGPs), digital photo. B. oGP in situ (arrowheads), micro-CT. C. Oral GP. D. adGP and abGP in situ, micro-CT. E. adGP and abGP in situ. F. adGP and abGP, dissociated, adradial aspect. G. adGP, dorsal aspect. H. Radial shield, inner aspect. I. Oral shield, inner aspect. J. Madreporite, inner aspect. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.