Ophionereis tigris H. L. Clark, 1938

Okanishi, Masanori & Fujita, Yoshihisa, 2019, A comprehensive taxonomic list of brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from submarine caves of the Ryukyu Islands, southwestern Japan, with a description of a rare species, Dougaloplus echinatus (Amphiuridae), Zootaxa 4571 (1), pp. 73-98 : 85

Ophionereis tigris H. L. Clark, 1938

[New Japanese name: Toragara-kumohitode]

( Fig. 8F )

Ophionereis tigris H. L. Clark 1938: 327 , pl. 25–6.―1946: 241, 242.— A. M. Clark & Rowe 1971: 88, 89.— Rowe & Gates 1995: 410.

Material examined. Okinawa Island (RUMF-ZE-02045[1], RUMF-ZE-02080[1], RUMF-ZE-02081[2]): “entrance” of the “Hedo-Dome” cave, under rocks or coral rubble, approximately 15 m depth, 21 May 2017 (RUMF-ZE-02045), 22 May 2017 (RUMF-ZE-02080, RUMF-ZE-02081).

Distribution. West-central Pacific Ocean. Depth range 10– 94 m.

Remarks. This species is identified as Ophionereis tigris by virtue of: lacking genital papillae; having skins covering both aboral and oral disc; and having uniform yellowish pale color on oral surface whereas irregular striking purplish-brown lines on aboral surface (e.g. A. M. Clark & Rowe, 1971). This is the first record of O. tigris from Japanese waters.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Aboral views of living specimens. A, Ophiothrix purpurea von Martens, 1867 (RUMF-ZE-02042); B, Ophiothrix aff. picteti (RUMF-ZE-02044); C, Ophionereis dubia amoyensis A. M. Clark, 1953 (RUMF-ZE-02046); D, Ophionereis fusca Brock, 1888 (RUMF-ZE-02049); E, Ophionereis porrecta Lyman, 1860 (RUMF-ZE-02054); F, Ophionereis tigris H. L. Clark, 1938 (RUMF-ZE-02045); G, Ophiolepis cavitata Okanishi & Fujita, 2018a (RUMF-ZE-02059); H, Ophiolepis cincta Müller & Troschel, 1842 (RUMF-ZE-02058).