Ophiophycis

Mcknight, Donald G., 2003, New brittle­stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from New Zealand waters, Zootaxa 352, pp. 1-36 : 15

Key to species of Ophiophycis

1: Centrodorsal area poorly calcified; no dorsal or ventral armplates beyond the first, no tentacle­scales .................................................................... O. nixastrum Litvinova

1: Centrodorsal plate present, distinct, pentagonal to stellate........................................ 2

2: First lateral armplate extends to margin..................................................................... 3

2: First lateral armplate does not extend to margin........................................................ 4

3: 2 tentacle­scales; radial shields separated distally by 2 small plates; proximal spine on first lateral armplate with tip truncate..................... O. gloriensis Guille & Vadon

3: 1 tentacle­scale; radial shields separated distally by a single plate; proximal spine on first lateral armplate with tip pointed....................................... O. gracilis Mortensen

4: Radial plates spearhead­shaped, tubercular at distal end, separating the radial shields proximally; centrodorsal stellate, the angles swollen, interradial marginal plate without a spine; 7 pairs of tentacle­pores ...................................................... O. johni n.sp

4: Radial plates rounded, pentagonal or six­sided, without a distal tubercle; centrodorsal pentagonal, or with angles only slightly produced, not swollen; interradial marginal plate may have a spine; 4–6 pairs of tentacle­pores......................................... 5

5: Centrodorsal and radials pentagonal, smooth, as are other disc plates, radial shields united proximally .............................................................................. O. richardi n.sp

5: Centrodorsal rounded or slightly stellate, smooth or with a tubercle, radial plates rounded to six­sided, and may separate radial shields proximally .............................. ..................................................................................................... O . mirabilis Koehler