Ophiernus vallincola Lyman, 1878

Ophiernus vallincola Lyman, 1878: 122–123, pl. 6(170–172). — Lyman, 1882: 32–33, pl. 24(16–18), 38(6–9). — Clark, H.L., 1923: 365. — Clark, H.L., 1939: 134. — Clark, A.M. & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 185, fig. 201. — Madsen, 1977: 112–114, fig. 2. — Paterson, 1985: 98–99, fig. 40. — Guille & Vadon, 1986: 169. — Olbers et al. 2019: 185–186, fig. 178–179. — O’Hara, 2024b: 64, fig. 63

STUDY MATERIAL. — MD208: stn CP4913, Walters shoal, Plaine Sud, 33° 48.82´S, 44° 5.9699´E to 33° 51.8´S, 44° 4.72´E, 1539–1615 m, 11/5/2017: 1 (MNHN IE.2016.1379) (DNA code= IE.2016.1379-2) .

COMPARATIVE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Ophiernus alepidotus Madsen, 1977: CCLME-1205/BT327, Bissau, 11° 31.08´N, 17° 24.27´W to 11° 32.08´N, 17° 24.22´W, 738– 730 m, 19/5/2012, Vigo 2719 (DNA code= V 2917). Maurit-1011/ MU256, Mauritania, 19° 35´N, 17° 16.03´W to 19° 36.67´N, 17° 18.72´W, 1160 m, 25/11/2010, Vigo 2415 (DNA code= V 2415). Ophiernus cf. alepidotus SAYA /CP5412, N Saya de Malha, 9° 44.192´S, 60° 48.05´E to 9° 44.561´S, 60° 48.435´E, 1441– 1396 m, 7/11/2022, MNHN IE.2023.4180 (DNA code= IE.2023.4180). Ophiernus vallincola Lyman, 1878: IN2015_C01/117, Great Australian Bight, SZ03 Area 22, 34° 40.458´S, 132° 28.7635´E to 34° 39.618´S, 132° 27.2761´E, 1017– 1014 m, 24/11/2015, MV F227611 (DNA code=F227611). IN2017_ V03 /056, Jervis CMR, 35° 19.98´S, 151° 15.48´E to 35° 19.92´S, 151° 12.84´E, 2650– 2636 m, 29/5/2017, MV F240096 (DNA code=F240096). in2022_v08/145, Cocos (Keeling), 12° 7.593´S, 96° 40.9921´E to 12° 7.82´S, 96° 40.6418´E, 3078– 3002 m, 17/10/2022, identified by O’Hara (2024b), MV F307644 (DNA code=F307644). ME 85- 3/1072, South Iceland, Irminger Basin, 63° 0.46´N, 28° 4.0896´W to 63° 1.1´N, 28° 3.15´W, 1594 m, 8/9/2011, DZMB-HH 37435 (DNA code= DZMB37435 A). PS61 ANT-XIX/3 (ANDEEP)/044- 1, Elephant Island, 60° 58.08´S, 55° 6.85´W to 60° 58.09´S, 55° 4.05´W, 308–399 m, 29/1/2002, CASIZ 161551 (DNA code= CAS161551). TAN1206/15, Site SL 1d, slope, Bay of Plenty, 36° 55.44´S, 176° 58.782´E to 176° 58.752´N, 36° 55.152´W, 1502- 1493 m, 16/4/2012, MV F188877 (DNA code=402VBH) .

Distribution. Arctic (1643–1648 m), NE Atlantic (619–4000 m), W Indian Ocean (1000–2312 m), E IndoW Pacific (300–3078 m), S Africa (1097–3255 m), Kerguelen (2557– 2557 m), S Australia (439–2821 m), New Zealand (1139–3391 m), Antarctic (308–3673 m).

Remarks. Ophiernus vallincola is a worldwide complex of bathyal species that also includes the weakly calcified O. alepidotus from off western Africa. More DNA samples are required across its geographic and bathymetric range to establish species boundaries. The Walters Shoal specimen is 7 mm dd, with the wide radial shields, disc scales limited to a row that surrounds the radial shields and a few in the centre of disc. Arm bristles are present.