Ophiarachnella sp. 2
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiarachnella sp. 2 from under rubble at Lizard Island. Disc diameter is about 8 mm.
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiarachnella sp. 2 from under rubble at Lizard Island. Disc diameter is about 8 mm.
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiarachnella sp. 2 from under rubble at Lizard Island. Disc diameter is about 8 mm.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Ophiuroidea
Order
Ophiurida
Family
Ophiodermatidae
Genus
Ophiarachnella
Species
Ophiarachnella sp. 2
Distinguishing features
A small brittlestar with pentagonal disc less than 1 cm diameter (in single specimen observed). Small dorsal disc scales are sparsely covered with tiny granules. Radial shields are small and oval, pale outlined in dark brown. Arm spines short, flaring from the arm, the lowest one longer than the others, at least 7 on proximal arm segments.
The colour pattern, disc armament and shape suggest Ophiarachnella paucigranula which is known from this area, as described by Clark (1938). However, that species has only four arm spines and they are appressed to the arm.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
species: Ophiarachnella paucigranula
has similar colour pattern and disc armament but only 4 arm spines and they do not flare away from the arm. -
Animalia:
species: Ophiarachnella macracantha
has flaring armspines and a similar colour pattern but the radial shields are dark and there are more dark bands on the arms.
Distribution
Web resources
References
- Clark, H.L. (1938). Echinoderms from Australia. An account of collections made in 1929 and 1932. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 55: 1-596. LIRS catalog number 90220.