Ophiopsila guineensis Koehler, 1914

Glück, Franziska U., Stöhr, Sabine, Bochert, Ralf & Zettler, Michael L., 2012, Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from the continental shelf off Angola and Namibia, Zootaxa 3475, pp. 1-20 : 12

Ophiopsila guineensis Koehler, 1914

Fig. 4 E, F

West African records. Koehler 1914: 203; Mortensen 1925: 185; 1936: 260; Cadenat 1938: 362; A. M. Clark 1955: 50; Longhurst 1958: 99; Buchanan 1958: 30; Tommasi 1967: 548; Madsen 1970: 223.

Material examined. St. 66: dredge sampling, 9°33.702´S, 13°06.018´E; 1 specimen, 8 mm. Depth: 20 m. This species appeared just once.

Diagnosis. Unfortunately the disc of this specimen is only partly complete, but as the typical leopard-like pattern is clearly visible, it can be easily identified. Moreover two enlarged inner tentacle scales crossing each other on the midline of each arm joint are characteristic of this species. There is an apical vertical cluster of spines (or tooth papillae) at the apex of the jaw accompanied by a continuous series of small lateral oral papillae.

Distribution. This species is certainly recorded from the Mediterranean (Stöhr, personal observation) and as far south as Annobón Island in tropical West Africa. It is the first time that this species is recorded as far south off West Africa in general and off Angola in particular. Ophiopsila guineensis occurs at depths from 18 to 175 m.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A, B, Ophiactis plana; A, dorsal aspect; B, ventral aspect. C, D, Ophiopsila annulosa; C, dorsal aspect; D, ventral aspect. E, F, Ophiopsila guineensis; E, dorsal aspect; F, ventral aspect. Scale bars 1 mm.