Ophiactis modesta

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 : 279

Ophiactis modesta BROCK, 1888

(UF-6323, Fig. 2 f, GU480580 )

Material. 3 spms, St. 5

Remarks. Another species of about the same size and overall aspect as O. savignyi , fissiparous with six arms, but displaying blue instead of green colouration. Like O. quadrispina it has only one distal oral papilla but is differentiated in having 5 arm spines, with the 2nd longer than the segment length. Commonly found in sympatry with O. savignyi ( Clark & Rowe 1971) , with which it can be confused. Similarly to O. quadrispina, Cherbonnier & Guille (1978) synonymized this species with O. savignyi ; but the morphotypes are clearly different and our recent DNA barcoding survey confirmed that they are distinct species ( Hoareau & Boissin 2010). Guille (1981) and Price & Rowe (1996) also did not recognize the synonymy. Abundance: 1.

Distribution. Widespread in the IWP from Mozambique ( Balinsky 1957), Lakshadweep Islands, India and Sri Lanka ( Price & Rowe 1996), to the South Pacific islands & Hawaii ( Clark & Rowe 1971). This is the first record for Réunion and the Mascarene Islands.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Pictures of species encountered in Réunion Island waters. Pictures were taken of freshly collected specimens except when indicated. Photo credit: BIOTAS.