Ophiopsila Forbes, 1843

Stöhr, Sabine, 2024, Taxonomic analysis of the genital plates and associated structures in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata), European Journal of Taxonomy 933, pp. 1-98 : 63

Genus Ophiopsila Forbes, 1843

Fig. 31

Type species

Ophiopsila aranea Forbes, 1843 .

Examined species

Ophiopsila guineensis Koehler, 1914 .

Oral GP

Flat, elongated, bar-like. V-shaped pair distally at oral shield, meeting row of similar scales continuing to abGP along abradial edge of genital slit.

Adradial GP

Long, rod-like shaft, distally inflated. Single condyle bordered by shallow groove. As long as five arm segments.

Abradial GP

Sabre-shaped, flat. Distal edge straight with simple articular surface. Shorter than adGP.

Oral shields

Oral shield inner side with two knob-like median spurs and proximally thickened. Madreporite externally with two lateral rows of multiple hydropores, inner side thickened, with large opening in distal part, spurs less expressed than in OS.

Radial shield

Inner side with large distal condyle, bordered by groove, proximal to condyle a round patch of denser stereom.

Figures

Fig. 31. Ophiopsilidae Matsumoto, 1915, Ophiopsila guineensis Koehler, 1914, SEM, unless otherwise noted. A. Genital plates in situ, micro-CT. B. Articulated adGP and abGP. C. adGP, adradial aspect. D. Radial shield, inner aspect. E. adGP, articular structures. F. oGP in situ, bleached, digital image. G. Oral shield, inner aspect. H. Madreporite, inner aspect. I. oGP. Scale bars: A–D, F–H =0.5 mm; E, I =0.1 mm.