Ophiophycis Koehler, 1901

Mcknight, Donald G., 2003, New brittle­stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from New Zealand waters, Zootaxa 352, pp. 1-36 : 14-15

Ophiophycis Koehler, 1901

Remarks: This genus is included in a section of the subfamily Ophiurinae, in which one or more of the basal lateral armplates are enlarged and tentacle­pores are restricted to proximal arm segments. Its closest relatives are Ophiomisidium Koehler , with only the first pair of laterals enlarged, and Astrophiura Sladen , in which 9 pairs of laterals are enlarged. Guille and Vadon (1986) have discussed species in the genus Ophiophycis and described one new species. Two further species are now described. Ophiophycis mirabilis as figured by Koehler (1901, 1909) differs from that figured by Paterson (1985) in the shape of the dorsal disc plates and the ornament of the centrodorsal.

In describing O. mirabilis genital clefts were not reported by Koehler (1901, 1909) though Paterson (1985) states they are partially hidden by the first lateral armplate. They have not been observed in the other species.

O. gloriensis is the only species where the genital plate or scale has been identified. Here Guille and Vadon (1986) regard a small plate on either side of the oral shield as the genital plate.

All species but the 2 described below have 1 or 2 plates behind the oral shield extending to the margin or almost so, this series with 1–2 plates lateral to them. These new species lack this median row.