taxonID	type	description	language	source
03F387FFA958C3532DFE7F87A324FAF1.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2445). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2446); 6 ° 58 ' 55.5 " S 34 ° 48 ' 55.3 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2450). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2447); 7 º 17 ' 55.9 " S 34 º 47 ' 53.6 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2448). Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2449); 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2451).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA958C3532DFE7F87A324FAF1.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2446. Circular disc (dd = 17.12 mm and dh = 5.72 mm), dorsally covered by imbricate scales under the numerous granules. These granules are smaller in the center of the disc and larger near the interradial region. Radial shield not visible, completely covered by granules (Fig. 3 A). Interradial ventral region covered by granules (Fig. 3 B). Two short bursal slits (BS) distant from each other, in which the first slit starts close to the jaw until the second ventral arm plate (VAP), and the other BS extends from the fifth to the middle of the sixth VAP (Fig. 3 B). Mandible covered with granules larger than the dorsal surface. Cordiform and without granules on the oral shield (Figs. 3 B, C). Madreporite, with a small whitish circular depression in the median portion (Figs. 3 B, C, D). Small, well separated, without granules in adoral shield, with a well-tapered proximal portion (Figs. 3 C, E). Lyman’s ossicle elliptic, adoral shield spine wider than long, secondary adoral shield spine longer than wide, three long lateral oral papillae, long infradental papillae, and large tooth papillae (Fig. 3 C). Five arms (aw = 3.94 mm), about 4 – 5 times longer than the dd and distally tapered. Dorsal arm plate (DAP), wider than long, and overlaps, a more distal triangular DAP (Figs. 3 F; 4 B). VAP square, with a rounded distal edge, and the lateral margins with slight indentations (Figs. 3 G; 4 C); first ventral arm plate, semi-elliptical, wider than long (Fig. 3 C). Two parallel tentacle scales, the external one flattened and the internal one slightly larger and spatulate (Fig. 3 G). Ten short arm spines, which progressively decrease in size until the dorsalmost arm spine. The ventralmost arm spine larger and flattened, while the others are smaller and pointed (Figs. 3 F, G; 4 G). Microstructures: dissociated dental plate, wider in the proximal portion, without septum, with about seventooth sockets (Ts) with thick protruding knobs; the Ts are separated by three segmentations: the first segment has three small and circular Ts and a fourth larger; the second segment has a single large and semicircular Ts; and the last segment with two Ts, being one larger and the other smaller and circular (Fig. 4 A). Lateral arm plate (LAP) with a slightly convex proximal region, ten spine articulation, ventral portion larger. The LAP inner portion with a single and small perforation (Figs. 4 D, E, F). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: dorsal and ventral view wider than long; middle portion of the vertebra dorsal view flattened, with dorsal groove smooth and dorso-distal muscular fossae large (Fig. 4 H); vertebra ventral view with deep muscular fossae elongated and deep ventral groove, with very evident junction; elongated portion of zygosphene (Zp), projecting beyond the ventral edge (Fig. 4 I); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 4 J) and distal view (Fig. 4 K) as long as wide, with dorsal muscle area bigger than the ventral muscle area; vertebra distal view with large zygocondyle and distinct of the Zp portion (Fig. 4 K). Intraspecific variations: the oral shield may be expanded laterally, almost completely covering the adoral shield (AdSh) these vary from triangular to rounded. In the young specimens, the disc tends to be pentagonal, with AdSh covered by granules, dorsal arm plate triangular, and lateral arm plate with at most nine arm spines. Disc coloration varies from dark brown to caramel, and some young individuals show whitish spots in the ventral region; arms with transverse bands that intercalate between lighter and darker dorsal arm plates (Figs. 3 A, F). Taxonomic comments: the species was also described by having under the granules small disc scales that cover all the disc (Benavides-Serrato et al. 2011), oval radial shield, oval to cordiform oral shield, adoral shield (AdSh) covered by granules slightly larger than those from the dorsal surface, nine to ten oral papillae, lateral arm plate (LAP) with seven to nine arm spine (ASp), two or three tentacle scale (TSc), and whitish spots in the distal edge of the disc (Tommasi 1970; Prata et al. 2020). Or the AdSh can be laterally enlarged and not covered by granules, seven to eight oral papillae, LAP with seven ASp, and two TSc (Gondim et al. 2013 a). Morphometric variations: a total of 15 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 17.12 mm, smaller dd: 5.83 mm. Average of dd = 10.49 mm with standard deviation (sd) of 3.95 mm, dh = 2.60 mm with sd = 1.30 mm, aw = 2.43 mm with sd = 0.81 mm, la = 41.97 mm with sd = 15.81 mm (Table 1). * values corresponding to the measurement of one to three specimens. Substrates: in the present study the specimens were collected under rocks and associated with rhodoliths (calcareous algae), protecting themselves from luminosity (Lima & Fernandes 2009), but they can also occur in rock crevices (Alves & Cerqueira 2000), marine phanerogam banks and on coral gravel (Hendler et al. 1995; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Bathymetric distribution: intertidal region up to 364 m (Tommasi 1970; Gondim et al. 2013 a; Prata et al. 2020). Geographic distribution: Texas, South Carolina, Bermuda, Florida, USA, Bahamas, Cuba, Belize, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Ascension Island, Senegal, Angola (Tommasi 1970; Hendler et al. 1995). In Brazil: Ceará (Lima – Verde 1969), Paraíba in the Cabo Branco Beach, Seixas reefs and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Prata et al. 2017; 2020), Bessa Beach, Carapibus Beach and Formosa Beach (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Oliveira et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Oliveira et al. 2010; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA954C3572DFE7E86A746FBAB.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2432). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2436). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2433). Cabo Branco Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 ° 08 ' 41.1 " S 34 ° 47 ' 43.9 " W, 5 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2438). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2430); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2435); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2437); 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2431); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH- 2434).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA954C3572DFE7E86A746FBAB.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH- 2438. Circular disc (dd = 11.70 mm and dh = 1.16 mm), dorsally covered by small, imbricated scales, of which the largest are close to the Radial shield (RS) and the edge of the disc. Separated, small, longer than wide RS, with a tapered proximal edge (Fig. 5 A). Ventral interradial region with scales like dorsal ones (Fig. 5 B). Wide bursal slits, extending to the seventh ventral arm plate (VAP), with genital papillae on their edges and genital scales (Fig. 5 B). Jaws with large octagonal oral shield, with rounded proximal edge and slightly tapered distal edge. Large madreporite, with a small whitish circular depression in the middle portion and visible pores on the distal edge (Figs. 5 B, C). Triangular adoral shields, tapered proximally, do not touch each other. Lyman’s ossicle much longer than wide, large adoral shield spine, and the secondary adoral shield spine, longer than wider, rounded buccal scale, in the same specimen one or two infradental papillae (Fig. 5 C). Five arms (aw = 4.94 mm), about four times longer than the diameter of the disc, tapering distally. Hexagonal dorsal arm plate (DAP), wider than long (Figs. 5 F; 6 B). Large, semicircular accessory plate, occupying the entire side of the DAP (Figs. 5 F; 6 D). Pentagonal VAP, as long as wide, with a small indentation in the distal edge and concave lateral edges; triangular first ventral arm plate, with a rounded distal edge (Fig. 5 C). A large and spatulated tentacle scale, exceeding more than half the length of the VAP (Fig. 5 G). Three arm spines tapered, with the apex slightly flattened, the middle one the largest (Figs. 5 F, G; 6 H). Microstructures: oral plate wider than long, abradial muscular area well defined, adradial joint area with muscle insertion area with striations positioned parallel or perpendicular; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 5 E). Elongated dental plate (DP), proximal region with straight edge and rounded distal edge, outer portion with two tooth sockets (Ts), the proximal smaller than the distal; separated Ts by protruding protruding knobs; internally the DP has two dental cavities divided into four Ts that are separated by a large septum (Fig. 6 A). Lateral arm plate with proximal region convex (Fig. 6 E); ventral inner portion with a single large perforation (Fig. 6 F); outer portion with three C-shaped spine articulation, curved, parallels and separated (Fig. 6 G). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: dorsal view of the vertebra with the middle portion V-shaped, dorsal groove slightly deep and wide dorso-distal muscular fossae (Fig. 6 I); ventral view of the vertebra with elongated ventral groove, deep in middle region, with four muscle fossaes, well defined, being the dorsal deeper, the distal circular (Fig. 6 J); proximal view (Fig. 6 K) and distal view (Fig. 6 L) of the vertebrae with dorsal muscle area very larger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: Younger specimens usually show a whitish disc, without reticulations, larger dorsal scales, and a visible primary plate, radial shields are triangular and wider distally and dorsal arm plates are square. The pattern reticulations change as the organism grows. Color light brown, with disc covered by thin reticulations dark brown, that form some spots (circles) not uniform (Fig. 5 A), ventral interradial region with reticulations, arms with transversal bands that intercalate into four to six lighter plates and one or more dark plates (Fig. 5 F). Taxonomic comments: the species has also been described with octogonal adoral shield, extended distally, and each hemimandible with three to five oral papillae (Tommasi 1970) or two to three apical papillae (Gondim et al. 2013 a). The analyzed specimens have between three to four papillae. Many specimens show a color green, with red lines and bands in the disc and arms (Tommasi 1970). Morphological variations: a total of 19 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 11.70 mm, smaller dd: 2.84 mm. Average of the dd = 7.73 mm with sd = 2.58 mm, dh = 1.09 mm com sd = 0.48 mm, aw = 3.12 mm com sd = 1.13 mm, la = 34.02 mm com sd = 12.96 mm (Table 2). Substrate: the specimens were collected under rocks and associated with rhodoliths, due to their nocturnal habit, with phototaxis, they prefer dark shelters (Hendler et al. 1995), but can also occur in rock crevices (Alves & Cerqueira 2000), sand, corals, and shell bottoms (Lima & Fernandes 2009; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Bathymetric distribution: from intertidal to about 560 m (Tommasi 1970; Prata et al. 2020). Geographical distribution: South Carolina, Florida, Bermudas, Dry Tortugas, Bahamas, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Barbados, Tobago, Belize, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil (Tommasi 1970; Hendler et al. 1995). In Brazil: Piauí (Gondim et al. 2013 b), Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in Cabo Branco Beach and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Oliveira et al. 2010; Prata et al. 2020), Bessa Beach, Carapibus Beach and Formosa Beach (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA950C3562DFE7C8AA17DF80C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 58 ’ 55.5 ” S 34 ° 48 ’ 55.3 ” W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2440). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2444). Cabo Branco Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 ° 08 ' 41.1 " S 34 ° 47 ' 43.9 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2439); 7 ° 10 ' S 34 ° 42 ' W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 643). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2441); 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2442); 7 º 17 ' 55.9 " S 34 º 47 ' 53.6 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2443).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA950C3562DFE7C8AA17DF80C.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2444. Circular disc (dd = 11.12 mm and dh = 1.74 mm), covered dorsally by small and imbricated scales, of which the largest are close to the radial shield (RS) and edge of the disc. Separated, small, semicircular RS, twice as long as wide (Fig. 7 A). Ventral interradial region with scales like those dorsal ones (Fig. 7 B). Wide bursal slits, extending to the seventh ventral arm plate (VAP), with several genital papillae in their edges and genital scales (Fig. 7 B). Jaw with large octagonal oral shield, with rounded proximal edge and slightly tapered distal. Large madreporite, with a small whitish circular depression in the middle portion and visible pores in the distal edge (Figs. 7 B, C). Triangular adoral shield, tapered proximally and not touching. Small Lyman’s ossicle, longer than wide, with proximal edge very elongated, large adoral shield spine wider than long, secondary adoral shield spine longer than wide, rounded buccal scale, longer than wider, in the same specimen one or three infradental papillae (Fig. 7 C). Five arms (aw = 4.68 mm), about four to five times longer than the dd, tapering distally. Hexagonal dorsal arm plate (DAP), wider than long, with a straight proximal edge (Figs. 7 F; 8 B). Large accessory plate, occupying the entire side of the DAP (Figs. 7 F; 8 D). Pentagonal VAP, as long as wide, with slight lateral indentations (Figs 7 G; 8 C); first ventral arm plate with proximal edge slightly tapered and the distal rounded (Fig. 7 C). A large and spatulated tentacle scale, exceeding more than half the length of the VAP (Fig. 7 G). Three arm spines tapered with slightly flattened apex, being the median larger (Figs. 7 F, G; 8 H). Microstructures: oral plate wider than long, abradial muscular area well delimited (Fig. 7 D); adradial joint area not evident; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 7 E). Elongated dental plate, proximal region with straight edge and rounded distal, outer portion with two dental tooth sockets (Ts), separated by protruding knobs; internally the plate has two dental cavities divided in four Ts, separated by a large Septum (Fig. 8 A). Lateral arm plate with convex proximal region (Fig. 8 E); inner portion with a single large perforation, positioned in the ventral region (Fig. 8 F); outer portion with three C-shaped spine articulations (Fig. 8 G). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: dorsal view of the vertebra with medium portion V-shaped, dorsal groove slightly deep and wide dorso-distal muscular fossae (Fig. 8 I); ventral view of the vertebra with elongated and deep ventral groove in the middle region, with four muscular fossaes well defined, being the view proximal deeper and the view distal circular (Fig. 8 J); Vertebra proximal (Fig. 8 K) and distal (Fig. 8 L) view with dorsal muscle area very larger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: younger specimens present dorsal reticulation which differs from Ophionereis reticulata, since not form circles (spots), arranged more irregularly, similar a labyrinth, with the reticulations more evident near the radial shield. Color light brown, with disc covered by a thin dark brown reticulation, that form circles (spots) not uniform (Fig. 7 A). Arms with transverse bands that intercalate among four to six lighter plates and one darker (Fig. 7 F). Taxonomic comments: the species has also been described to have five or six oral papillae and three very short arm spine (Tommasi 1970). Morphometric variations: a total of seven specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 11.12 mm, smaller dd: 6.79 mm. Average dd = 8.91 mm with sd = 1.28 mm, dh = 1.16 mm with sd = 0.27 mm, aw = 3.98 mm with sd = 0.37 mm, la = 38.21 mm with sd = 6.87 mm (Table 3). Substrate: the specimens were sampled under rocks and associated to rodoliths. They can also be found in sediment of sand very coarse (Manso et al. 2008), on a gravel bottom, dead shells (Tommasi 1970), and marine phanerogam banks (Hendler et al. 1995; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Bathymetric distribution: from shallow waters to 40 m (Tommasi 1970; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Geographic distribution: Florida, Bahamas, Haiti, Dry Tortugas, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Tobago, Belize, Brazil (Tommasi 1970; Hendler et al. 1995). In Brazil: Paraíba (Gondim et al. 2013 a), Bessa Beach, Cabo Branco Beach, Carapibus Beach, and Formosa Beach (present study), Alagoas (Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al. 2008; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94CC3482DFE7921A13CFC7B.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2483). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 15 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2481). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2479); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2480); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2485); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2486); 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2482); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2484).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94CC3482DFE7921A13CFC7B.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2482. Circular disc (dd = 3.71 mm and dh = 1.14 mm), with slight indentations at the interradial region, covered dorsally by imbricate scales, almost uniform. Radial shield longer than wide, rounded distal edge, tapered proximal edge separated by a small scale. Disc bordered by rows of aligned scales (Figs. 9 A, B). Ventral interradial region covered by small and more imbricate fine scales than the dorsal. Wide bursal slits extending to the fourth or fifth ventral arm plate (VAP) (Fig. 9 C). Jaw with diamond shape oral shield (arrowhead) tapered proximal and distal edge. Large and rounded madreporite (Fig. 9 E). Triangualar adoral shield, commonly joined at the proximal edge (Figs. 9 D, E). Adoral shield spine triangular, large, wider than long, secondary adoral shield spine rounded, with one rounded infradental papillae (Fig. 9 E). Five arms (aw = 1.41 mm), about four times longer than the dd. Dorsal arm plate much wider than long, with a straight proximal region (Figs. 9 H; 10 D). Pentagonal VAP, with straight distal edge and pointed proximal edge (Figs. 9 I; 10 E); square first ventral arm plate (Fig. 9 E). Two large and perpendicular tentacle scale (Fig. 9 I). The basal segments with four arm spines, decreasing to three along the arm, of which the middle one has denticles (Figs. 9 H, I; 10 I). Microstructures: wider than long oral plate, well-defined abradial muscular area with rib-like branching structures (Fig. 9 F); adradial joint area with narrow muscular insertion area, with evident stretch marks; dorsal tentacle compartment larger than ventral tentacle compartment, with a deep indentation (Fig. 9 G). Elongated dental plate, a proximal region with a straight edge and rounded distal, outer portion has eight tooth sockets, with protruding knobs on their sides and separated by Septum (Figs 10 A; B); longer than wide teeth, distal region with a smooth and flat surface (Fig. 10 C). The lateral arm plates (LAP) extend to half of the dorsal arm plate. LAP with proximal region C-shaped (Fig. 10 F); inner portion with a single perforation, positioned in the ventral region (Fig. 10 G); outer portion with three spine articulations (Fig. 10 H). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: ventral view vertebra with deep ventral groove in the middle region, with four muscular fossaes well defined (Fig. 10 J); proximal (Fig. 10 K) and view distal (Fig. 10 L) vertebra with dorsal muscle area much bigger than the ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: in younger specimens, it is possible to observe the primary plate. As the specimen grows, the dorsal scales tend to be arranged more uniformly, becoming smaller and less overlapping. In some individuals, the radial shield is narrower and separated at the proximal edge by three scales. Color whitish (Fig. 9 A). Taxonomic comments: the species was also described with the separated radial shield (RS) in the anterior region by two to four scales, of which the inner one is elongated (Tommasi 1970), evident primary plate, separated RS by one or two scales, distally separated adoral shield (Paim et al. 2015), a little more curved lateral arm plate, ventral view vertebra with less deep Vs and less evident zygocondyle (Alitto et al. 2018 Fig. 14 H, I). Morphometric variations: a total of 25 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 3.71 mm, smaller dd: 1.22 mm. Average of dd = 2.22 mm with sd = 0.60 mm, dh = 0.64 mm with sd = 0.19 mm, aw = 0.91 mm with sd = 0.22 mm, and la = 6.74 mm with sd = 2.71 mm (Table 4). Substrate: the specimens were sampled under rocks, rhodolites and commonly associated with algae in when young stage. They can also be found in thin sand, shell, and muddy bottoms (Tommasi 1970), marine phanerogam banks (Hendler et al. 1995), sponges and cnidarians (Paim et al. 2015). Bathymetric distribution: from intertidal zone to 55 m (Hendler et al. 1995; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Geographic distribution: South Carolina, Florida, Texas, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Barbados, Tobago, Brazil (Tommasi 1970, Hendler et al. 1995). In Brazil: Maranhão (Gondim et al. 2013 b), Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in Cabo Branco Beach, Seixas and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Prata et al. 2017; 2020), Bessa Beach, Carapibus Beach and Formosa Beach (presente estudo), Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012), Sergipe (Oliveira et al. 2010) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al. 2008; Paim et al. 2015; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94FC34C2DFE7C3AA395FA61.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2487); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2489); 5 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2491); 27 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2504); 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2512); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2513); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2514); 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2515). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 58 ' 55.5 " S 34 ° 48 ' 55.3 " W, 13 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2531); 6 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2532); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2534); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2537); 5 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2538); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2539); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2540); 6 º 59 ' 04.6 " S 34 º 49 ' 37.9 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2533); 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 18 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2535); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2536). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 ° 04 ' 36.5 " S 34 ° 49 ' 24.1 " W, 11 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2505); 23 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2507); 14 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2508); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2509); 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2506); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2511); 7 ° 04 ' 35.0 " S 34 ° 49 ' 23.0 " W, 31 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2510). Cabo Branco Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 08 ' 35.0 " S 34 º 47 ' 59.0 " W, 7 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2516); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2520); 7 ° 08 ' 41.1 " S 34 ° 47 ' 43.9 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2517); 9 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2518); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2519). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 º 17 ' 55.9 " S 34 º 47 ' 53.6 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2521); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2524); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2525); 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2522); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2523); 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 9 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2526); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2527); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2528); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2529); 7 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2530). Tambaba Beach, Conde, PB: 7 º 21 ' 59.1 " S 34 º 47 ' 51.4 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2541); 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2542); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2543); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2545); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2546); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2548); 9 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2549); 7 º 22 ' 8.013 " S 34 ° 47 ' 52.02 W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2544); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2547); 5 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2550); 7 ° 21 ' 51.6 " S 34 ° 47 ' 50.7 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2551).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94FC34C2DFE7C3AA395FA61.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2518. Circular disc (dd = 2.58 mm and dh = 0.69 mm), covered, irregular, and imbricate scales. Large radial shield, longer than wide with the proximal edge slightly tapered and the distal curved, proximally separated by one or two small, triangular scales (Figs. 11 A, B). Ventral interradial region covered by smaller scales that are more imbricated than the dorsal. Wide bursal slits, extending to the fourth ventral arm plate (VAP) (Fig. 11 C). Oral shield diamond-shape, with the distal edge rounded. Large triangular adoral shield, joined at the proximal portion. Rectangular adoral shield spine, three to four times wider than long, and rounded secondary adoral shield spine, large infradental papillae (Fig. 11 D). Five arms (aw = 0.79 mm), about two to three times longer than the dd. Dorsal arm plate wider than long, with the distal edge slightly straight and the proximal rounded, separated by the lateral arm plates (Figs. 11 G; 12 C). VAP longer than wide, the distal edge straight and the proximal tapered with lateral indentations (Figs. 11 H; 12 D, E); small and triangular first ventral arm plate (Fig. 11 D). Two small and triangular tentacle scale, arranged in parallel (Fig. 11 H). Basal segments with four small and serrated arm spines, decreasing to three along the arm (Figs. 11 G, H; 12 I). Microstructures: oral plate wider than long, extensive abradial muscular area (Fig. 11 E); adradial joint area defined, with striae in muscle insertion, large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 11 F). Genital plates with large condyles (Cd) and deep groove in the inner region (Fig. 12 A). Dental plate with three tooth sockets, without Septum, distal opening large and heart-shaped, the others smaller and circular, with large distal protruding knobs (Fig. 12 B). Large lateral arm plate, little curved in the proximal region (Fig. 12 F); inner portion with a large single perforation positioned in the ventral region (Fig. 12 G); outer portion with three parallel and separated spine articulations (Fig. 12 H). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: dorsal view vertebra with Cd fused, points distal aboral muscle fixation, proximal internal aboral muscle fixation and proximal external muscle fixation large, well developed, as well as the point of proximal oral muscle fixation (Fig. 12 J); ventral view vertebra with long ventral groove, very deep and with some perforations (Fig. 12 K); proximal (Fig. 12 L) and distal (Fig. 12 M) view vertebra with dorsal muscle area much bigger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: in younger specimens, the primary plate is very evident, with a centro dorsal surrounded by eight overlapping primary scales, and the radial shield is wider than long, fully united, characteristics related to growth also described by Silva et al. (2023). Color whitish, but in some specimens, the coloration observed was dark brown, possibly due to the type of algae to which the specimens were found associated (Figs. 11 A, G). Taxonomic comments: the species has also been described with elongated and oval radial shield, united along their entire length and surrounded by imbricated scales (Benavides-Serrato et al. 2011), dorsal arm plate more rounded, ventral arm plate with smaller indentation on the sides, lateral arm plate with smaller inner perforation (Alitto et al. 2018), externally the LAPs do not touch in the ventral and dorsal region, two or three small sub-equal tentacle scale (Prata et al. 2020). The vertebrae are very different from those described by Alitto et al. (2018 Fig. 15 J-M), in which dorsal-distal muscular fossae transformed distalwards projecting but far from distal edge of zygo - condyles and with a vertical oval hole through the ossicle, about half as long as the vertebra. According to those authors A. squamata is a species complex, that lacks more detailed morphological studies, with an extensive review on a geographic distribution, although the species is suspected to be undergoing reproductive isolation (Alitto et al. 2018). Morphometric variations: a total of 266 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 2.58 mm, smaller dd: 0.55 mm. Average dd = 1.38 mm with sd = 0.43 mm, dh = 0.44 mm with sd = 0.16 mm, aw = 0.62 mm with sd = 2.55 mm and la = 2.77 mm with sd = 1.14 mm (Table 5). Substrate: the specimens were sampled in algae, polychaete tubes, under rhodoliths and in the sediment which was found next to the Ophionereis reticulata. This species is widely studied due to its cosmopolitan distribution and for inhabiting different substrates, such as sand, mud, algae, under rocks, sponges, corals and polychaete aggregates (Paim et al. 2015; Alitto et al. 2018). Bathymetric distribution: from the intertidal zone to 1330 m (Hendler et al. 1995; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Geographic distribution: Cosmopolitan (Tommasi 1970). In Brazil: Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in Cabo Branco Beach, Seixas and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Prata et al. 2017; 2020), Bessa Beach, Carapibus Beach, Formosa Beach and Tambaba Beach (present study), Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al. 2008; Paim et al. 2015; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94BC3402DFE7E86A6C7FE41.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2453). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2454). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2452).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA94BC3402DFE7E86A6C7FE41.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2452. Circular disc (dd = 9.22 mm and dh = 2.41 mm), dorsally covered by irregular, imbricate, small scales, of which the largest are close to the radial shield (RS). Tiny spines cover the entire disc, except the RS. These spines are larger and more abundant in the interradial region, some thorns have curved tips or denticles. RS longer than wide, separated, and with accessory plates on the distal edge (Fig. 13 A). Ventral interradial region covered by scales and spines, however, close to the jaw, only scales and rare spines. Wide bursal slits (Fig. 13 B). Jaw with diamond-shaped oral shield, with very tapered distal edge and rounded proximal. Evident, whitish, and rounded madreporite (Figs 13 B, C, F). Subtriangular adoral shield, that does not touch proximally. Large and rectangular adoral shield spine, smaller and flabelliform secondary adoral shield spine, a large and contiguous infradental papillae (Fig. 13 C). Five arms (aw = 2.54 mm), about six to seven times longer than the dd. Rectangular, wider than long dorsal arm plate, overlapping (Figs 13 G; 14 D). Rectangular ventral arm plate, with the distal straight and the proximal with a slight projection or pointed (Figs 13 H; 14 E); smaller first ventral arm plate, with strong indentation on proximal edge (Fig. 13 C). Two tentacle scales perpendicular and similar in size (Fig. 13 H). Three, rod-shaped arm spines, the middle one slightly larger than others (Figs 13 G, H; 14 I). Microstructures: oral plate with abradial muscular area well delimited with rib-like branching structures, and radial channel long (Fig. 13 D); adradial joint area with muscular insertion area without evident stria; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 13 E). Outer portion of dental plate with six tooth sockets, protruding knobs protruding on its sides and separated by narrow septum (Fig. 14 A); in the inner portion the plate has a large central dental cavity and some smaller cavities (Fig. 14 B) and large teeth, distal region with smooth surface (Fig. 14 C). Lateral arm plate twice as longer than wide, convex proximally (Fig. 14 F); inner portion without visible perforation (Fig. 14 G); distal margin with three and separated spine articulations (Fig. 14 H). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: dorsal view vertebra with middle portion V-shaped, slightly deep dorsal groove, wide and deep dorso-distal muscular fossae (Fig. 14 J); ventral view vertebra with elongated ventral groove, deep in the middle region, with four well defined muscle fossaes, the most proximal deeper, the distal one circular (Fig. 14 K); proximal (Fig. 14 L) and distal (Fig. 14 M) view vertebra with dorsal muscle area bigger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: oral plate with an abradial muscular area well delimited with rib-like three specimens was analyzed, an adult and two young. Despite the few individuals, some variations were observed in the young stages. More imbricated and smaller dorsal scales, with more defined bands in the spines, tapered radial shield on the proximal edge, with radial shields separated almost entirely by scales, and the outarm spine slightly flattened. The color is light brown (Figs 13 A, G). Taxonomic comments: the species were also described with the disc scales, in the central and interradial region, covered by a tegument, with three oral papillae and two arm spine (Tommasi 1970), however, Gondim et al. (2013 a Fig. 6 H) does not describe the presence of this tegument and mention only two oral papillae. The present material corroborates with the latter. Morphometric variations: a total of three specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 9.22 mm, smaller dd: 5.62 mm. Average of dd = 7.07 mm with sd = 1.90 mm, dh = 2.13 mm with sd = 0.27 mm, aw = 2.39 mm with sd = 0.33 mm, and la = 42.42 mm with sd = 11.40 mm (Table 6). Substrate: specimens were collected under rocks and associated with sponges. They can also be found on sandy bottoms (Tommasi 1970), rock crevices (Alves & Cerqueira 2000) and in marine phanerogams (Hendler et al. 1995). Bathymetric distribution: from the intertidal zone to about 30 m (Tommasi 1970; Gondim et al. 2013 b). Geographic distribution: Florida (Tommasi 1970), Bermuda, Dry Tortugas, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Tobago, Venezuela, Brazil (Hendler et al. 1995). In Brasil: Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Rio grande do Norte (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in Cabo Branco Beach (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a), Carapibus Beach, and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA947C3452DFE7A6CA3A1FAB7.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2457). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 59 ' 9.81 " S 34 ° 49 ' 37.64 W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2456).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA947C3452DFE7A6CA3A1FAB7.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2456. Circular disc (dd = 6.42 mm and dh = 1.66 mm), dorsally covered with small, circular, imbricated scales, the largest are at the center of the disc, and near the radial shield (RS), which cover the lateral edge of shields. Disc edge bordered by bundles of long, thin spines, lined up and facing upwards. Semicircular RS, longer than wide, separated at the proximal edge by one to three scales, and with an accessory plate on the distal edge (Fig. 15 A). Ventral interradial region covered by smaller scales that are more imbricated than the dorsal ones, and with larger scales near the jaw. Long bursal slits, with large genital scales (Fig. 15 B). Jaw with diamond-shaped oral shield, tapered proximal edge, and more elongated and rounded distal edge. Large and whitish madreporite (Fig. 15 B, C). Triangular adoral shield, with tapered ends and united in the proximal portion (Figs 15 C, F). Spatulate and elongated adoral shield spine, larger secondary adoral shield spine, a pair of rectangular, large, and separated infradental papillae (Fig. 15 C). Five arms (aw = 1.66 mm), about six to seven times longer than the dd. Semi-rectangular dorsal arm plate, wider than long, with a rounded and sometimes fragmented distal edge (Figs 15 G; 16 D). Square to pentagonal ventral arm plate (Figs 15 H; 16 E); trapezoidal first ventral arm plate (Fig. 15 C). Two tentacle scales, well separated, arranged in parallel, forming a right angle (Fig. 15 H). Three arm spines, the ventral most arm spine smaller (Figs 15 G, H; 16 I). Microstructures: oral plate with abradial muscular area well defined and with rib-like branching structures, long radial channel (Fig. 15 D); adradial joint area with the muscular insertion area quite striated; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 15 E). Dental plate with a rounded proximal region and a very tapered distal region; eight tooth sockets, larger proximal openings, with protruding knobs on the sides and separated by narrow septum (Figs 16 A; B); teeth with large smooth and flat distal surface (Fig. 16 C). Wide lateral arm plate, slightly curved in the proximal region (Fig. 16 F); inner portion with a single perforation (Fig. 16 G); outer portion with three spine articulations, parallel and separate (Fig. 16 H). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with a V-shaped medial portion, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 16 J); vertebra ventral view with elongated and deep ventral groove, with the four well-defined muscular fossae (Fig. 16 K); vertebra proximal (Fig. 16 L) and distal (Fig. 16 M) view with dorsal muscle area bigger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: despite the few specimens, some variations were noted in the younger individuals. They have larger dorsal scales near the radial shield (RS), being smaller in the center of the disc and more imbricated in the interradial portion, while in adults the scales tend to be smaller and flatter. In addition, in the young specimens the RS are more triangular, with a more tapered proximal edge, and separated by up to three scales. Color gray (Figs 15 A, G). Taxonomic comments: oral plate with abradial muscular area well defined and with rib-like branching structures, long radial channel (Fig. 15 D); an adradial joint area with the muscular insertion area quite striated; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 15 E). Dental plate with a rounded proximal region and a very tapered distal region; the species has also been described with pentagonal disc, an interradial region with indentations, radial shield separated proximally by 12 scales, and rectangular adoral shield spine (Tommasi 1970). By trapezoidal dorsal arm plate, longer than wide, altered along the length of the arm (Prata et al. 2020), rectangular to square ventral arm plate (Prata et al. 2020), without projection in the distal portion (Chagas et al. 2020). A ventral portion of the lateral arm plate more elongated and curved, a vertebra ventral view with deeper muscle fossaes, and a vertebra proximal and distal view with more large dorsal muscle area and ventral muscle area (Chagas et al. 2020; Prata et al. 2020). Morphometric variations: a total of four specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 6.42 mm, smaller dd: 4.13 mm. Average of dd = 5.41 mm with sd = 1.08 mm, dh = 1.15 mm with sd = 0.43 mm, aw = 1.38 mm with sd = 0.25 mm, and la = 39.10 mm with sd = 7.18 mm (Table 7). Substrate: specimens collected on a sandy bottom near the coast and in a muddy bottom, like that collected by Tommasi (1970) to a depth of 1.5 m. The species can be found in sediment classified as coarse silt or in muddy bottoms (Chagas et al. 2020). Bathymetric distribution: From 1 to about 50 m (Chagas et al. 2020). Geographic distribution: Virgin Islands, Tobago, Brazil (Tommasi 1970). In Brazil: Paraíba in the Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Prata et al. 2020) and Formosa Beach (present study), and Bahia (Manso et al. 2008) to Santa Catarina (Bueno et al. 2018).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA942C3792DFE7E0EA0CFFF69.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2477). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2459). Praia de Carapibus, Conde, PB: 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2460); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2461).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA942C3792DFE7E0EA0CFFF69.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2460. Circular disc (dd = 1.42 mm and dh = 0.46 mm), convex, dorsally covered by large, irregular, overlapping scales, the largest are at the center of the disc (Figs 17 A, B). Triangular radial shield, longer than wide, separated by two large scales, the most internal triangular (Fig. 17 B). Ventral interradial region with scales smaller than the dorsal ones. Bursal slits extend from the second ventral arm plate (VAP) (Fig. 17 C). Jaw with diamond shape oral shield, tapered proximal edge, and rounded distally. Large triangular adoral shield, with an expanded lateral edge, that almost touch. Spatulate adoral shield spine, rectangular infradental papillae (Fig. 17 D). Six arms (aw = 0.76 mm), about twice longer than the dd. Triangular dorsal arm plate, wider than long, with a tapered proximal edge and a straight distal (Figs 17 F; 18 B). Pentagonal VAP, with the triangular proximal region (Figs 17 G; 18 C), first ventral arm plate similar to VAP (Fig. 17 C). A single small triangular tentacle scale (Fig. 17 G). Three denticulated arm spine, ventral most arm spine smaller and sometimes modified in a hook, the medial large and the dorsalmost arm spine longest (Figs 17 F, G; 18 G). Microstructures: oral plate with abradial muscular area well defined, short radial channel (Fig. 17 E). Dental plate with an expanded distal region; the outer portion with two large tooth sockets, without perceivable protruding knobs and septum (Fig. 18 A). Lateral arm plate, convex in the proximal region (Fig. 18 D); inner portion with a single perforation (Fig. 18 E); outer portion with three spine articulations (Fig. 18 F). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with medial portion V-shape, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 18 H); vertebra ventral view with narrow, elongated, and deep ventral groove, with several perforations (Fig. 18 I); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 18 J) with dorsal muscle area (Dma) larger than ventral muscle area (Vma) and vertebra distal view (Fig. 18 K) with Dma very united, while the Vma is very separated. Intraspecific variations: in some specimens (UFPB / ECH – 2459, dd = 0.90 mm) the spine in the ventral interradial disc portion was not observed, in others, it was possible to observe a small pointed spine. Disc coloration can vary from whitish to light gray (Fig. 17 A). Taxonomic Comments: the species was also described with the ventral interradial region without pointed spines and a blunt spine in the indentation of the disc behind the radial shield (RS), like the example illustrated in the description (Tommasi 1970). Delicate spines are sparse on the disc, ventral interradial region with smaller spines than the dorsal ones (Paim et al. 2015). RS anteriorly separated by a triangular scale, sparse spines in the marginal region of the disc, behind the RS with two blunt spines. Ventral interradial surface covered by small scales and some smaller spines than the dorsal ones, and specimens were analyzed with five arms (Borges et al. 2002). The projection of the proximal region of the dorsal arm plate is smoother and the vertebra ventral view with more large fossae (Alitto et al. 2018). Morphometric variations: a total five specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 1.42 mm, smaller dd: 0.79 mm. Average of dd = 1.15 mm with sd = 0.22 mm, dh = 0.38 mm with sd = 0.06 mm, aw = 0.50 mm with sd = 0.14 mm, and la = 2.17 mm with sd = 0.66 mm (Table 8). Substrate: the specimens were collected in algae, sediment and next to the Ophionereis reticulata, can also occur under rocks (Paim et al. 2015), sponges, polychaetes (Lima et al. 2011) and associated with the coral Carijoa riisei (Duchassaing & Michelotti 1860) (Lima & Fernandes 2009). Bathymetric distribution: from the intertidal zone to 90 m (Tommasi 1970). Geographic distribution: Virginia, Bermuda, Tortugas, Tobago, Brazil, Cape Green, Gulf of Guinea (Tommasi 1970). In Brazil: Maranhão (Gondim et al. 2013 b), Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in Cabo Branco Beach (Gondim et al. 2008), Bessa, Carapibus, and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al. 2008; Paim et al. 2015; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA97EC3782DFE794CA056F884.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2488); 3 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2490); 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2497); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2498); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2499); 7 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2502); 13 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2503). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 58 ' 55.5 " S 34 ° 48 ' 55.3 " W, 3 spec (UFPB / ECH – 2496); 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2501); 6 º 58 ' 54.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 02.0 " W; 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2501); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2492). Bessa Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 º 04 ' 33.0 " S 34 º 49 ' 30.0 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2493); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2500); 7 ° 04 ' 35.0 " S 34 ° 49 ' 23.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2495). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 17 ' 59.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 54.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2494).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA97EC3782DFE794CA056F884.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2492. Circular disc (dd = 2.54 mm and dh = 1.18 mm), dorsally covered, irregular, overlapping scales. Approximately eight small blunt spines surround the central scales. The edge of the disc is also surrounded by small spines (Figs 19 A, B). Large triangular radial shield, occupying almost half of the dd, longer than wide and separated at the proximal edge by two scales (Fig. 19 B). Ventral interradial region with smaller scales than dorsal ones. Wide bursal slits, extending to the third arm segment. Rounded madreporite (Fig. 19 C). Jaw with a diamond-shaped oral shield. Triangular adoral shield, longer than wide and united at the proximal edge. Spatulate and elongated adoral shield spine, smaller secondary adoral shield spine (Fig. 19 D). Six arms (aw = 1.18 mm) about two to three times longer than the dd. Rounded dorsal arm plate (Figs 19 G; 20 C). Square ventral arm plate, with rounded distal region, proximal with slight indentation and expanded lateral region (Figs 19 H; 20 D); triangular first ventral arm plate (Fig. 19 D). A large and spatulate tentacle scale (Fig. 19 H). Basal lateral arm plate with five denticulate arm spines, decreasing to four along the arm, the dorsalmost arm spine most pointed and the second most large (Figs 19 G, H; 20 H). Microstructures: oral plate longer than it is wide, with abradial muscular area well defined, long radial channel (Fig. 19 E); adradial joint area with the narrow and striated muscle insertion area; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 19 F). Dental plate with three tooth sockets, the proximal ones bigger, separated by protruding knobs and without Septum (Fig. 20 A), large teeth, as long as wide, with short, smooth and flat distal portion (Fig. 20 B). Lateral arm plate convex in the proximal region (Fig. 20 E); inner portion with a single perforation (Fig. 20 F); outer portion with four spine articulations (Fig. 20 G). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with medial portion V-shaped, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 20 I); vertebra ventral view with wide, elongated, and deep ventral groove (Fig. 20 J); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 20 K) with dorsal muscular area (Fig. 20 L) much larger than ventral view and distal view vertebra with dorsal muscle area well developed. Intraspecific variations: in younger specimens the central disc scales are larger, however, the number of spines is less in comparison with the disc diameter. These spines can be scattered or restricted to the disc edge. Dorsal arm plate (DAP) is triangular, the ventral arm plate rectangular and the lateral arm plate with the arm spine more denticulated. Some young specimens have gone through fission, causing some differences, and specimens with only three structures radial shield (RS), three arms, oral papillae, and plates. At the regeneration site, the disc does not show the RS, just scales and some arm buds, in the ventral region, they also lack the oral shield and oral ossicles, even after complete regeneration the arms may be disproportionate in length and width. The color of the disc with central scales and radial shields is greenish, interradial scales, the distal edge of the RS, and the ventral surface of the disc are whitish. The DAPs intercalate between greenish and whitish plates (Figs 19 A, G). Taxonomic comments: the species has also been described with radial shield fully united and with two scales in the proximal region (Borges et al. 2002; Paim et al. 2015), trapezoidal dorsal arm plate, longer than wide, octogonal ventral arm plate, with tapered proximal portion (Tommasi 1970; Alitto et al. 2018), an oral papillae on each side of the jaw, six arm spine (Gondim et al. 2013 a), pores in the middle region of madreporite (Borges et al. 2002), vertebra distal view with short zygocondyle (Alitto et al. 2018). Morphometric variations: a total of 43 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 2.54 mm, smaller dd: 0.63 mm. The general average of the dd = 1.32 mm with sd = 0.46 mm, dh = 0.56 mm with sd = 0.24 mm, aw = 0.69 mm with sd = 0.22 mm and la = 2.85 mm with sd = 1.18 mm (Table 9). Substrate: the specimens were collected from algae, rhodoliths, and sponges. Young specimens tend to inhabit the interior of sponges, possibly due to positive stereotropism (Tommasi 1970), being common within sponges of Haliclona sp. (Lima & Fernandes 2009). They can also be found in sediments (Manso et al. 2008), mud bottoms, under rocks (Paim et al. 2015), in marine phanerogams banks, mangrove areas and contaminated communities (Hendler et al. 1995). Bathymetric Distribution: from the intertidal zone to 518 m (Tommasi 1970; Hendler et al. 1995; Gondim et al. 2013 a). Geographic distribution: Cosmopolitan species, with wide geographical distribution (Tommasi 1970). In Brazil: Maranhão (Gondim et al. 2013 b), Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in the Cabo Branco Beach and Seixas reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Prata et al. 2017), Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Bessa Beach, Carapibus Beach and Formosa Beach (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Oliveira et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012) and Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al, 2008; Paim et al. 2015; Souto & Martins 2017).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA97AC3722DFE7927A327FA9F.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 4 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2470); 6 ° 45 ' 54.0 " S 34 ° 55 ' 04.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2472); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2473); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2474). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 58 ' 55.5 " S 34 ° 48 ' 55.3 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2471). Carapibus Beach, Conde, PB: 7 ° 18 ' 03.0 " S 34 ° 47 ' 53.0 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2475). Tambaba Beach, Conde, PB: 7 º 21 ' 59.1 " S 34 º 47 ' 51.4 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2476).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA97AC3722DFE7927A327FA9F.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2471. Pentagonal disc (dd = 4.85 mm and dh = 1.51 mm), dorsally covered by large, irregular, and overlapping scales, from which small bifid or trifid spines emerge and occupy the entire disc. Large, triangular radial shield, very separated by a row of spines and covered by some bifid or trifid spines (Fig. 21 A). Ventral interradial region covered by scales and spines similar to dorsal ones. Wide and long bursal slits, with genital plates at the base of the arms. Rounded madreporite (Fig. 21 B). Jaw with diamond-shaped oral shield, as wide as long, with tapered edges (Figs 21 C, F). Large and triangular adoral shield, with a tapered proximal edge (Figs 21 C, G). A medial column of abbreviated tooth papillae (TPa) flanked by columns of larger TPas (Fig. 21 C). Five arms (aw = 3.47 mm) are about four times longer than the dd. Trapezoidal dorsal arm plate, wider than long, with a rounded distal edge (Figs 21 H; 22 E). Hexagonal ventral arm plate wider than long, with a slightly concave distal edge (Figs 21 I; 22 F); first ventral arm plate with the distal edge expanded and the proximal well tapered (Fig. 21 C). A small and triangular tentacle scale (Fig. 21 I). Eight long arms spines with denticles, the penultimate dorsalmost arm spine is the biggest and the last ventral most arm spine is smaller or modified into a hook (Figs 21 H, I; 22 A, J). Microstructures: oral plate longer than wide, with abradial muscular area well defined, with rib-like branching structures, and long radial channel (Fig. 21 D); adradial joint area with narrow and striated muscle insertion area, large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 21 E). Dental plate with 10 tooth sockets (Ts) in the proximal region, that gradually decrease in size, protruding knobs protruding from the sides of Ts and separated by narrow Septum; the side of the distal portion with sockets of tooth papillae (Figs 22 B, C); teeth longer than wide, distal surface with long and smooth region (Fig. 22 D). Wide lateral arm plate, slightly curved in the proximal region (Fig. 22 G); inner portion with a single large perforation (Fig. 22 H); outer portion with five spine articulations (Fig. 22 I). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with medial portion Y-shaped, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 22 K); vertebra ventral view with wide, elongated, and deep ventral groove (Fig. 22 L); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 22 M) and distal view (Fig. 22 N) with dorsal muscle area much larger than ventral muscle area. Taxonomic comments: the species was also described with pentagonal disc, covered by trifid spines (Tommasi 1970; Prata et al. 2020), or with bifid or trifid spines (Gondim et al. 2013 b; Paim et al. 2015; Alitto et al. 2018), dorsal arm plate (DAP) distal portion with a slight projection, lateral arm plate longer than wide and more curved (Alitto et al. 2018). Dorsal disc with violet color, DAP have spots and a white line in the medial portion that runs along the entire arm, whitish ventral disc (Figs 21 A, H, I). Morphometric variations: a total of 10 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 6.32 mm, smaller dd: 1.90 mm. The general average dd = 3.64 mm with sd = 1.46 mm, dh = 1.13 mm with sd = 0.29 mm, aw = 2.25 mm with sd = 0.95 mm and la = 17.06 mm with sd = 11.25 mm (Table 10). Substrate: the specimens were collected under rocks, rhodoliths, and the young associated with algae branches. This species can be found in different substrates, such as sand, gravel, broken shells, coral, sponge, mud (Tommasi 1970; Alves & Cerqueira 2000), meadows of marine phanerogams, estuarine areas (Lima & Fernandes 2009), in oyster beds and on sessile animals as Millepora sp., gorgonians, among others (Hendler et al. 1995). Bathymetric distribution: from the intertidal zone to 540 m (Tommasi 1970; Borges et al. 2002). Geographic distribution: Bermuda, Bahama Islands, North Carolina, Florida, Texas, Dry Tortugas, Greater and Lesser Antilles, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Uruguai (Tommasi 1970; Hendler et al. 1995; Benavides-Serrato et al. 2011). In Brazil: Maranhão, Piauí (Gondim et al. 2013 b), Ceará (Lima-Verde 1969), Paraíba in the Cabo Branco Beach and Barra de Mamanguape reefs (Gondim et al. 2008; 2013 a; Prata et al. 2020), Carapibus Beach, Formosa Beach and Tambaba Beach (present study), Pernambuco (Lima & Fernandes 2009), Alagoas (Oliveira et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2011; Miranda et al. 2012), Bahia (Alves & Cerqueira 2000; Magalhães et al. 2005; Manso et al. 2008; Paim et al. 2015; Souto & Martins 2017), Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina (Tommasi 1970).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA975C3712DFE7D67A1E0F8B3.taxon	description	Guille 1991: 9. Ophiothrix angulate — Borges et al. 2002: 58 – 59, Fig. 34 c – d; Borges et al. 2005: 65 – 66; Manso et al. 2008: 194, Fig. 21 a – c. Ophiothrix brachyactis — Oliveira et al. 2010: 8. Ophiothrix brasiliensis — Santana et al. 2020: 9, Fig. 6.	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA975C3712DFE7D67A1E0F8B3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Barra de Mamanguape reefs, Rio Tinto, PB: 6 ° 45 ' 49.35 " S 34 ° 55 ' 4.85 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2478). Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2455).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA975C3712DFE7D67A1E0F8B3.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2455. Circular disc (dd = 7.39 mm and dh = 2.20 mm), dorsally covered by small scales, from where bifid or trifid spines emerge; in the interradial region and in the radial shield (RS) the spines have two to six denticles (Figs 23 A; 24 A, B). Large and triangular RS, occupying almost half of the dd, longer than wide, separated by elongated scales and by bundles of spines (Fig. 23 A). Ventral interradial region with scales similar to dorsal, spines with three to six denticles (Fig. 23 B). Wide and long bursal slits, extending to the fourth arm segment, with large genital plates at the base of the arms. Rounded madreporite (Fig. 23 B). Jaw with diamond-shaped oral shield, with a slightly tapered proximal edge, expanded, and rounded lateral edge (Figs 23 C, F). Narrow, triangular, and separated adoral shield, with tapered proximal edge and distal straight (Figs 23 C, G). Spaces between each hemimandible very evident. A medial column of abbreviated tooth papillae (TPa) flanked by columns of larger TPas (Fig. 23 C). Five Arms (aw = 4.82 mm), about four times longer than the dd. Pentagonal dorsal arm plate, as long as wide, with a tapered proximal edge and slightly rounded distal edge (Figs 23 H; 24 F). Rectangular ventral arm plate, with a concave distal edge (Figs 23 I; 24 G); square first ventral arm plate (FiG. 23 C). A small and triangular tentacle scale (Fig. 23 I). Proximal lateral arm plate with eight to ten arm spines and six to eight distal, arm spine with a crown of denticles at the apex, the last spine modified into a hook (Figs 23 H, I; 24 K). Microstructures: oral plate longer than wide, abradial muscular area well defined, with rib-like branching structures, and long radial channel (Fig. 23 D); adradial joint area with narrow and striated muscle insertion area; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 23 E). Dental plate with six tooth sockets (Ts) in the proximal region of the plate, that gradually decrease in size, with protruding knobs from the sides of Ts and separated by narrow septum; also, another five smaller sockets of tooth papillae are present in the distal lateral region of the plate (Figs 24 C, D), teeth as long as wide, smooth and short distal surface (Fig. 24 E). Lateral arm plate, convex in the proximal region (Fig. 24 H); inner portion with a single large perforation positioned near the end of the plate (Fig. 24 I); outer portion with six spine articulations (Fig. 24 J). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with a middle portion Y-shaped, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 24 L); vertebra ventral view with wide, elongated, and deep ventral groove (Fig. 24 M); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 24 N) and distal view (Fig. 24 O) with dorsal muscle area much larger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: the youngest specimen shows a violet dorsal disc. Dorsal and ventral disc whitish, with dorsal arm plate violet in color (Figs 23 A, H). Taxonomic comments: the species was described with dorsal surface covered by small rounded and imbricated scales that support short and hyaline spines, with two to six thorns in the apex, circular oral shield, lateral arm plate cover part of the dorsal surface of the arm, with eight to ten arm spine proximally and six to eight distally, and vertebra ventral view with more large fossaes (Santana et al. 2020). Morphometric variations: a total of three specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 7.39 mm, smaller dd: 3.67 mm. The general average dd = 5.61 mm with sd = 1.86 mm, dh = 1.73 mm with sd = 0.42 mm, aw = 3.43 mm with sd = 1.21 mm and la = 23.69 mm with sd = 5.62 mm (Table 11). Substrates: the specimens were collected under rhodoliths. Bathymetric distribution: possibly found at similar depth to Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) angulata, from the intertidal zone to 540 m of depth since they were previously identified as a single species (Santana et al. 2020). More surveys are needed to verify that its bathymetry really corresponds to that Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) angulata. Geographic distribution: Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba (Formosa Beach and Barra de Mamanguape reefs), Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul (Santana et al. 2020, present study).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA971C36B2DFE7891A0EFFC46.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined: Formosa Beach, Cabedelo, PB: 6 ° 58 ' 55.5 " S 34 ° 48 ' 55.3 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2462); 6 º 58 ' 38.8 " S 34 º 48 ' 57.4 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2463); 6 º 59 ' 05.6 " S 34 º 49 ' 38.5 " W, 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2464). Cabo Branco Beach, João Pessoa, PB: 7 ° 08 ' 41.1 " S 34 ° 47 ' 43.9 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2465). Tambaba Beach, Conde, PB: 7 º 21 ' 59.1 " S 34 º 47 ' 51.4 " W, 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2466); 1 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2467); 7 º 22 ' 8.013 " S 34 ° 47 ' 52.02 W, 6 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2468); 2 spec. (UFPB / ECH – 2469).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
03F387FFA971C36B2DFE7891A0EFFC46.taxon	description	Description: specimen UFPB / ECH – 2462. Circular disc (dd = 8.10 mm and dh = 3.10 mm), dorsally covered with scales, from which emerge abundant spines, the smaller ones are bifid or trifid, the biggest long and denticulate. In the interradial region and in the radial shield (RS) the spines have two to five denticles. Large, semicircular RS, a little longer than wide and very separated by bundles of spines (Fig. 25 A). Ventral interradial region like dorsal. Wide bursal slits, extending to the fourth arm segment, with large genital plates at the base of the arms. Rounded madreporite (Fig. 25 B). Jaw with oral shield slightly tapered at the proximal edge, rounded in the distal, and the laterals expanded. Large, triangular, and separated adoral shield. Spaces between each hemimandible very evident. A medial column of abbreviated tooth papillae (TPa) flanked by columns of larger TPas (Fig. 25 C). Five Arms (aw = 5.89 mm) about four to five times longer than the dd. Diamond-shaped dorsal arm plate (DAP) (Figs. 25 F; 26 E); the first or second plate with a small spine positioned above the DAP. Rectangular ventral arm plate, wider than long (Figs. 25 G; 26 F); square first ventral arm plate (Fig. 25 C). A single small and triangular tentacle scale (Fig. 25 G). Proximal lateral arm plate with eight to 10 arm spines, and the distal with six to eight, spines with denticulate margin forming a crown of denticles at their apex, the last spine modified into a hook (Figs. 25 F, G; 26 A, J). Microstructures: oral plate longer than wide, abradial muscular area well defined with rib-like branching structures, and long radial channel (Fig. 25 D); adradial joint area with poorly defined muscle insertion area; large dorsal tentacle compartment and ventral tentacle compartment (Fig. 25 E). Dental plate with eight tooth sockets in the proximal region, that gradually decrease in size, with protruding knobs on the sides and separated by narrow septum; also, with five others smaller smaller sockets of tooth papillae at distal lateral region of the plate (Figs 26 B, C); teeth longer than wide, with short and smooth distal surface (Fig. 26 D). Wide lateral arm plate, a little curved in proximal region (Fig. 26 G); inner portion with a single large perforation placed at the end of the plate (Fig. 26 H); outer portion with six spine articulations (Fig. 26 I). Vertebrae zygospondylous type: vertebra dorsal view with middle portion Y-shaped, slightly deep dorsal groove (Fig. 26 K); vertebra ventral view with wide, elongated, and deep ventral groove (Fig. 26 L); vertebra proximal view (Fig. 26 M) and distal view (Fig. 26 N) with dorsal muscle area much bigger than ventral muscle area. Intraspecific variations: In younger specimens, the disc spines are bifid or trifid, and there is a small circular depression in the center of the disc. The spine of the first dorsal arm plate (DAP), a character of the species, is usually found on only one or two arms. The lateral arm plate has only five spines, the fifth being modified into a hook. The color varies from light violet to whitish. Dorsal disc with color dark violet, middle portion of the DAP with a white line that runs along the entire arm, ventral region light violet to whitish (Figs 25 A, F). Taxonomic comments: the species was described with the interradial region covered by small rounded and imbricated scales, which support spines with two to six thorns in the apex, lateral arm plate occupying part of dorsal surface of the arms (Santana et al. 2020). Morphometric variations: a total of 16 specimens were analyzed. Bigger dd: 8.10 mm, smaller dd: 0.93 mm. Average of dd = 2.68 mm with sd = 2.25 mm, dh = 1.04 mm with sd = 0.82 mm, aw = 1.87 mm with sd = 1.79 mm and la = 8.58 mm with sd = 8.44 mm (Table 12). Substrate: larger specimens were collected under rhodoliths, the youngest were found associated with algae. Bathymetric distribution: possibly found at similar depth to Ophiothrix angulata, from the intertidal zone to a depth of 540 m since they were previously identified as a single species (Santana et al. 2020). More surveys are needed to verify that its bathymetry really corresponds to that of Ophiothrix angulata. Geographic distribution: Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba (Formosa, Cabo Branco and Tambaba Beaches), Pernambuco, Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, and Santa Catarina (Santana et al. 2020, present study).	en	Silva, Jailma Ferreira Da, Christoffersen, Martin Lindsey, Prata, Jéssica (2025): Diversity revealed: Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) from reef ecosystems of Tropical Southwest Atlantic with new characters. Zootaxa 5689 (1): 1-57, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1, URL: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5689.1.1
