Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) sp. 1
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) sp. 1 with arms up to about 3 cm long on Unidentified sponge 8 at Cobia Hole, Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) sp. 1 with arms about 3 cm long on Unidentified sponge 8 at Cobia Hole, Lizard Island.
©Anne Hoggett: One of at least 10 individuals of Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) sp. 1 on holothurian Thelenota ananas at Clam Garden, Lizard Island.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Ophiuroidea
Order
Ophiurida
Family
Ophiotrichidae
Genus
Ophiothrix
Species
Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) sp. 1
Colours
Distinguishing features
Arms about 3 cm long and at least 12 times the disc diameter. Arm spines long, thin and thorny with spine ridges well-separated from each other. A pale midline runs along each arm, bordered by thin dark lines (hard or impossible to see in the field). Disc with sparse, elongate spines.
Size
- Up to 3 cm (arm length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Comments
This could be Ophiothrix (Acanthophiothrix) vigelandi. It certainly fits into the Acanthophiothrix subgenus of Ophiothrix due to long, thin arm spines on well-separated ridges. The dorsal arm surface colour pattern is right for O. vigelandi but other characters need to be seen to confirm the identification.
by Anne Hoggett
