Ophioplocus marginata (Fell, 1953)

Mills, V. Sadie & O'Hara, Timothy D., 2013, Ophiuroids (Echinodermata; Ophiuroidea) of biogenic habitats on the continental shelf of New Zealand, Zootaxa 3613 (5), pp. 401-444 : 435-437

Ophioplocus marginata (Fell, 1953)

( Fig. 16 )

Ophioceres marginata Fell, 1953: 103 –105, pl. 1d–e, fig. 5a–e.— Baker & Devaney, 1981: figs. 10–13.

Material Examined. Otago. TAN1108/148, NIWA 77856 (1). Stewart Island. TAN1108/77, NIWA 74487 (2).

Diagnosis. Dorsal disc covered in imbricating disc scales. Enlarged, distinctive marginal interradial disc plates. Short arms (2 x dd), dorsal arm plates fragmented in simple pattern (see Baker & Devaney 1981, figs. 10–13). Disc and arm plates creamy white in life.

Description. See Fell (1953).

Distribution. Southern New Zealand and subantarctic islands (1–305 m).

Remarks. This is the first record of this species from the South Island of New Zealand.

Figures

FIGURE 16. Ophioplocus marginata (Fell, 1953) (NIWA 74487, TAN 1108 / 77) showing live colour in two individuals, a: ventral, b: dorsal, scale bar = 1 cm.