Ophiosphalma nitidum (H. L. Clark, 1939)

Baker, Alan N., 2016, An illustrated catalogue of type specimens of the bathyal brittlestar genera Ophiomusium Lyman and Ophiosphalma H. L. Clark (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea), Zootaxa 4097 (1), pp. 1-40 : 33-35

Ophiosphalma nitidum (H. L. Clark, 1939) .

Figures 56 a, b

Ophiomusium nitidum Clark, 1939

Ophiosphalma nitidum (Clark) ; Madsen, 1951; Guille & Vadon, 1986.

Holotype BMNH 198.5.26.416 John Murray Expedition station 177 Arabian Sea, 3840–3872 m. 2 paratypes, same station, 198.5.26.417, 1 paratype MCZ 6095 station 171, Arabian Sea, 3840–3872m.

Main Features: Primary plates surrounded by small plates and all have a glazed appearance due to film of mucous. Areas between disc and arm plates with exposed tight skin. Comma- shaped genital slits. Ventral arm plates present on most of arm, loosely granular. Three pairs of exposed tentacle pores. Clark’s illustration is accurate.