Ophiocoma scolopendrina

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

Ophiocoma scolopendrina (LAMARCK, 1816)

(REU-3652, Fig. 4 d, KC759913 )

Material. 1 spm, St. 5; 7 spms, St. 8

Remarks. This species is strictly intertidal ( Fontaine 1965) and has longer arms than other members of the ‘ SCOLOPENDRINA GROUP’. An abundant species on reef flats at Etang Salé, where they are found hidden under rocks. Only the arms are visible as they sweep the air-water interface using an unusual feeding mode: surface-film feeding at low tide ( Oak & Scheibling 2006). This species is distinguishable from others of the ‘ SCOLOPENDRINA GROUP’ by its colouration: brown and variegated with a yellowish ventral side, whereas other species display a black/dark ventral side. COI sequence data shows little genetic differentiation across the range of this species (Hoareau et al. 2013). Abundance: 2.

Distribution. Common across the IWP ( Clark & Rowe 1971); recently reported from Réunion ( Stöhr et al. 2008) and already known from 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.