Ophiopholidae, O'Hara, Stöhr, Hugall, Thuy & Martynov, 2018

Stöhr, Sabine, Hugall, Andrew F., Thuy, Ben & Martynov, Alexander, 2018, Morphological diagnoses of higher taxa in Ophiuroidea (Echinodermata) in support of a new classification, European Journal of Taxonomy 416, pp. 1-35 : 22

Family Ophiopholidae fam. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:24F78A13-2640-4ACB-8D5F-EDCFFC7E3767

Type genus

Ophiopholis Müller & Troschel, 1842 (type species: O. aculeata ( Linnaeus, 1767)) .

Diagnosis

Dorsal disc with large plates, encircled by small scales that are extended into multi-thorned spines in young individuals. Arm spines smooth, distally hooks and spines. Small cluster of papilliform teeth ventrally, followed by large block-like teeth dorsalwards. Tooth sockets ventrally indistinct round depressions, on middle area of dental plate horizontal ribs and depressions, dorsally fenestrations with septum. Vertebrae with narrow dorsal keel protruding beyond length of vertebra, corresponding deep dorsal groove proximally. Arm spine articulation horizontal, with two strong lobes, dorsal one larger and bent, large muscle and nerve openings. Lateral arm plates with coarse tubercles. Inner side of lateral arm plates with two separate lobes and a dorsal ridge.