Ophiactis savignyi (J. Müller & Troschel, 1842)

Ophiolepis savignyi Müller & Troschel, 1842: 95 .

Ophiactis savignyi . — Clark, H.L., 1918: 305–306. — Koehler, 1922a: 193–195, pl. 64(5–6), 96(2). — Mortensen, 1933b: 348, fig. 58b. — Mortensen, 1936: 264. — Clark, H.L., 1939: 77. — Mortensen, 1940: 70. — Clark, A.M. & Rowe, 1971: 82–83, fig. 22e, 23d, 31b, pl. 14(4). — Clark, A.M. & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 164, figs 156, 161. — Cherbonnier & Guille, 1978: 125–128, fig. 57(A–I) (in part).

Ophiactis sp probably O. savignyi . — Clark, A.M., 1976: 259.

STUDY MATERIAL. — MD208: stn WR02, Walters shoal, Zone sommitale Sud-Ouest, 33° 12.25´S, 43° 50.818´E, 40 m, 30/4/2017: 1 (MNHN IE.2023.4156) (DNA code= IE.2023.4156) . — MD208: stn WB05, Walters shoal, Zone sommitale Sud, 33° 15.12´S, 43° 54.514´E, 26–30 m, 1/5/2017: 3 (MNHN IE.2016.1345); 1 (MNHN IE.2023.4163) . — MD208: stn WB09, Walters shoal, Zone Sommitale Nord Ouest, 33° 13.767´S, 43° 55.7751´E, 27–30 m, 4/5/2017: 1 (MNHN IE.2023.4167) . — MD208: stn WB10, Walters shoal, Zone Sommitale Nord Ouest, 33° 9.131´S, 43° 51.7939´E, 30 m, 6/5/2017: 1 (MNHN IE.2016.1353); 2 (MNHN IE.2023.4174) .

COMPARATIVE MATERIAL EXAMINED. Ophiactis brevis H.L. Clark, 1938: SBD/1554 S, Great Barrier Reef Seabed Survey, 22° 3.224´S, 150° 21.2078´E to 22° 3.25´S, 150° 21.2861´E, 28.4– 27.5 m, 10/5/2004, MTQ SBD010141 (DNA code= SBD010141). SS 2012t 07/8, 11° 13.324´S, 134° 45.12´E to 11° 13.378´S, 134° 45.12´E, 27.7–27.9 m, 18/10/2012, MV F193456 (DNA code=F193456). Ophiactis savignyi (J. Müller & Troschel, 1842): Blue Heron Bridge, Palm Beach, 26° 46.962´N, 80° 2.664´W, 1–5 m, 3/2/2013 , MV F193474 (DNA code= TOH12). Misaki marine station, rocky shore, 35° 9.52´N, 139° 36.65´E, 0–1 m, 3/6/2018 (DNA code= Misaki 007) . IN2022_ V09 /133, Gascoyne Marine Park. Site:040, 23° 22.963´S, 113° 25.4141´E to 23° 24.154´S, 113° 24.9746´E, 114– 104 m, 11/12/2022, MV F309537 (DNA code=F309537). MIRIKY/CP3257, Nord du Cap Saint André, 15° 47.52´S, 44° 44.9598´E to 15° 46.74´S, 44° 45.5202´E, 48 m, 9/7/2009, MNHN IE.2007.418 (DNA code= IE.2007.418). SS05/2007/140, Northwestern Australia, Leveque L 27 transect, 15° 5.67´S, 121° 47.184´E to 15° 5.5´S, 121° 47.417´E, 77 m, 2/7/2007, MV F166029 (DNA code=F166029) .

Distribution. NW Atlantic (1–12 m), NE Atlantic (0–43 m), NW Pacific (0–130 m), NE Pacific (0–70 m), W Atlantic (0–211 m), E Atlantic (0–50 m), W Indian Ocean (0–144 m), E Indo-W Pacific (0–206 m), E Pacific (0–33 m), S America (1–153 m), S Africa (0–77 m), S Australia (0–60 m).

Remarks. Ophiactis savignyi is a species complex that includes several mitochondrial DNA clades that are widespread in tropical waters (Roy & Sponer 2001, 2022). The sequenced MD 208 specimen belongs to Clade 2 of Roy & Sponer (2001), which also includes sequences from the closely related five-armed species O. brevis . Further work is required to determine whether these clades can be distinguished as separate species. Ophiactis savignyi is a shallow water species and any historical record deeper than 200 m requires re-examination.