Ophiocoma pica

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 : 285

Pica Group

Ophiocoma pica MÜLLER ET TROSCHEL, 1842 complex (UF-6627, Fig. 4 e, KU594362 )

Material. 1spm, St. 3; 1 spm, St. 5; 2 spms, St. 7

Remarks. This species is easily recognized with its black overall colouration, punctuated by gold dots and lines. COI sequence data indicates that SWIO populations are deeply divergent from populations in W Australia and the Pacific (Boissin et al. in revision). As the type locality is unknown ( Olbers & Samyn 2012), we attribute specimens to the species complex. Abundance: 1.

Distribution. Widespread across the IWP to the Hawaiian Islands ( Clark & Rowe 1971); previously reported from Réunion ( Guille & Ribes 1981) and Mauritius (de Loriol 1893a).

Figures

FIGURE 4. Pictures of species encountered in Réunion Island waters. Pictures were taken of freshly collected specimens except when indicated. Photo credit: BIOTAS.