Ophiocoma L. Agassiz, 1835

Stöhr, Sabine, Boissin, Emilie & Hoareau, Thierry B., 2013, Taxonomic revision and phylogeny of the Ophiocoma brevipes group (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea), with description of a new subgenus (Breviturma) and a new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 68, pp. 1-26 : 5

Genus Ophiocoma L. Agassiz, 1835

Diagnosis

Typically large, conspicuous, shallow water tropical brittle stars. Dorsal disc completely covered with granules, extending onto the ventral side to varying degree. Strong, erect, smooth and generally solid (except O. pusilla Brock, 1888 ) arm spines. A cluster of tooth papillae on the lower part of the dental plate; large rectangular teeth.Adoral shields confined to lateral edges of oral shield, not meeting.Abradial muscle surface of oral plates well developed with a series of horizontal grooves and ridges. Lateral arm plates short, curved, with ventral notch for tentacle foot, spine articulations sigmoidal.