Asteroschema inornatum Koehler, 1906

Calero, Belén & Ramil, Fran, 2023, Euryalida (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) from Northwest Africa, European Journal of Taxonomy 870, pp. 46-75 : 53-57

Asteroschema inornatum Koehler, 1906

Figs 3C , 4B, F–G , 5

Asteroschema inornatum – Koehler, 1906: 30–31, pl. III figs 45, 47.

Asteroschema inornatum – Koehler, 1906b: 303–304, pl. XXI figs 46–47; 1909: 205, pl. VII fig. 1. — Gage et al., 1983: 288 — Paterson, 1985: 16, fig. 10.

Material examined

WESTERN SAHARA • 6 specs, 7.36–9.91 mm dd; 26°40′20″– 26°40′59″ N, 14°33′14″– 14°29′55″ W; depth 1294– 1151 m; 5 Dec. 2005; Maroc-0511 exped.; stn MO162; Maroc-0511-16532 ; LZM-UV • 3 specs, 5.62–11.09 mm dd; 26°33′21″– 26°35′04″ N, 14°33′16″– 14°36′07″ W; depth 1313–1469 m; 7 Dec. 2005; Maroc-0511 exped.; stn MO169; Maroc-0511-16716 ; LZM-UV • 10 specs, 5.61–9.71 mm dd; 26°39′46″– 26°41′48″ N, 14°45′20″– 14°42′44″W; depth 1593– 1588 m; 8 Dec. 2005; Maroc-0511 exped.; stn MO171; Maroc-0511-16767 ; LZM-UV • 1 spec., 4.76 mm dd; 26°32′37″– 26°30′44″ N, 14°46′45″– 14°49′31″ W; depth 1004–1031 m; 8 Dec. 2005; Maroc-0511 exped.; stn MO172; Maroc-0511- 16711; LZM-UV • 1 spec., 7.75 mm dd; 26°12′42″– 26°10′34″ N, 15°27′44″– 15°25′15″ W; depth 1371– 1250 m; 12 Dec. 2005; Maroc-0511 exped.; stn MO184; Maroc-0511 -16703; LZM-UV • 1 spec., 14.23 mm dd; 23°15′08″– 23°18′11″ N, 17°23′29″– 17°24′17″ W; depth 1341– 1338 m; 27 Nov. 2006; Maroc-0611 exped.; stn MO237; Maroc-0611-07763 ; LZM-UV.

Distribution

Asteroschema inornatum Koehler, 1906 is considered as an endemic species for the Northeast Atlantic ( Paterson 1985). The species was recorded from the Reykjanes Ridge and Mid-Atlantic Ridge, southeast of the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (Martynov & Litvinova 2008), from 36°32.26′ N to 33°27.40′ W ( Stöhr & Segonzac 2006), Rockall Trough ( Gage et al. 1983), Bay of Biscay ( Paterson 1985), Northwest Spain ( Paterson 1985), off Azores ( Koehler 1909; Paterson 1985) and off Madeira ( Berry 1938; Smirnov et al. 2014). Its bathymetric distribution extends from 1300 (Martynov & Litvinova 2008) to 4140 m ( Madsen 1951).

We collected the species at six stations located off Western Sahara, between 1004 and 1593 m, normally associated with gorgonians.

Remarks

The records in waters of Western Sahara extend the geographical distribution of the species to the south and represent the first report of A. inornatum in African waters. Our record at 1004–1031 m depth (Stn MO172) also increase its bathymetric range to shallower waters. Living colour of the species is orange pink and grayish in the interadial areas of the disc.

Figures

Fig. 3. A–B. Asteronyx loveni Müller & Troschel, 1842 collected from Mauritanian waters on Distichoptilum gracile Verrill, 1882. C. Asterochema inornatum Koehler, 1906 collected from Western Sahara waters on Paramuricea sp. Koelliker, 1865. D. Ophiocreas oedipus Lyman, 1879 collected from Western Sahara waters, on Acanthogorgiidae indet. E–F. Astrodendrum juancarlosi sp. nov. (LZM-UV Bissau-0810-06146), specimens collected from Guinea Bissau waters. Not to scale.

Fig. 4. A, D–E. Asteronyx loveni Müller & Troschel, 1842 (LZM-UV Maurit-1107-04528). A. One specimen collected over Anthoptilum murrayi Kölliker, 1880. D. Dorsal view. E. Ventral view. B, F–G. Asterochema inornatumKoehler, 1906 (LZM-UV Maroc-0511-16532). B. Dorsal view.F. Detail of dorsal disc. G. Ventral view. C, H–I. Ophiocreas oedipus Lyman, 1879 (LZM-UV Maroc-0611-07763). C. Dorsal view. H. Detail of dorsal disc. I. Ventral view.

Fig. 5. Map from the study area with the location of the stations where specimens of Asteroschema inornatum Koehler, 1906 were collected during the ten surveys off Northwest Africa.