Ophiolepis cincta

Boissin, Emilie, Hoareau, Thierry B., Paulay, Gustav & Bruggemann, J. Henrich, 2016, Shallow-water reef ophiuroids (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) of Réunion (Mascarene Islands), with biogeographic considerations, Zootaxa 4098 (2), pp. 273-297 : 290

Ophiolepis cincta MÜLLER & TROSCHEL, 1842 complex sp. 2

(UF-6416, Fig. 5 h, KC759973 )

= O. cincta garretti SLOAN ET AL, 1987, NON LYMAN, 1865

Material. 2 spms, St. 1; 1 spm, St. 5; 5 spms, St. 8

Remarks. Differs from O. cincta complex sp. 1 mainly in its tan or grey colour. Aldabran specimens of this form were attributed to O. cincta garretti by Sloan et al. (1987), a taxon described from the Central Pacific Gilbert Islands ( Tungaru, Kiribati). The animals from Réunion, however, are genetically deeply divergent from the Central Pacific form, as well as all other members of the complex. Abundance: 2.

Distribution. See under O. cincta sp. 1. This genetically deeply divergent taxon is currently only known from Réunion and likely (based on color pattern but no sequence data) from Aldabra..

Figures

FIGURE 5. Pictures of species encountered in Réunion Island waters. Pictures were taken of freshly collected specimens except when indicated. Photo credit: BIOTAS.