Introduction

The family Ophiocomidae is circum-tropical. Eight genera are known, including 78 species.

This family is distinguished from other ophiurid families by the following combination of character states: arms stout, widest at some distance from base; arm spines long, not adpressed; teeth stout, quadrangular; oral papillae border each jaw; dental papillae in clump at apex of each jaw.

General References

Devaney, D.M. 1970. Studies on ophiocomid brittlestars. I. A new genus (Clarkcoma) of Ophiocominae with a reevaluation of the genus Ophiocoma. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 51: 1-41 figs 1-50

Devaney, D.M. 1978. A review of the genus Ophiomastix (Ophiuroidea: Ophiocomidae). Micronesica 14(2): 273-359 figs 1-42

Fell, H.B. 1960. Synoptic keys to the genera of Ophiuroidea. Zoological Publications of the Victoria University, Wellington 26: 1-44 6 figs

Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33 Echinodermata. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia 510 pp. [383]

History of changes

• Ophiocoma Agassiz, L. 1836. Prodrome d'une monographie des radiaires ou Echinodermes. Mémoires de la Société des Sciences Naturelle de Neuchâtel 1: 168–199 [192].

  Type species:

   Ophiura echinata Lamarck, 1816 by original designation, see Clark, H.L. 1915. Catalogue of recent ophiurans: based on the collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 25(4): 165-376, pls 1-20.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Kenn Transition (16), Kenn Province (17), Northeast Province (18), Northeast Transition (19), Timor Province (2), Norfolk Island Province (21), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Northwest Transition (3), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41), Central Western Transition (5), Central Western Province (6), Southwest Transition (7)

General References

Clark, H.L. 1921. The echinoderm fauna of Torres Strait. Papers from the Department of Marine Biology of the Carnegie Institution of Washington 10: 1-224, 38 pls [120-125] (as Ophiocoma)

Devaney, D.M. 1970. Studies on ophiocomid brittlestars. I. A new genus (Clarkcoma) of Ophiocominae with a reevaluation of the genus Ophiocoma. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 51: 1-41 figs 1-50 [9-11] (as Ophiocoma)

History of changes

• Ophiocoma anaglyptica Ely, C.A. 1944. A new brittle-star (Ophiocoma anaglyptica) from Canton Island. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences 34(11): 373-375 fig. 1 [373, fig. 6].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) USNM E6847-8 2 specimens, Canton Is., Pacific Ocean.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian, Indo-Pacific

IMCRA

Northeast Province (18), Norfolk Island Province (21), Northwest Transition (3), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine.

General References

Clark, A.H. 1952. Echinoderms from the Marshall Islands. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 102: 265-303 [294] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica)

Clark, A.M. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. Monograph of Shallow-water Indo-west Pacific Echinoderms. London : Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History) 238 pp. 100 figs 31 pls. [86-87, , fig. 23f, 38g] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica; figured holotype)

Devaney, D.M. 1970. Studies on ophiocomid brittlestars. I. A new genus (Clarkcoma) of Ophiocominae with a reevaluation of the genus Ophiocoma. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 51: 1-41 figs 1-50 [34, fig. 49] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica)

Marsh, L.M. 1986. Echinoderms. In Faunal surveys of the Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef and Seringaham Reef, north-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 25: 63-74 [71] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica)

Marsh, L.M., Vail, L.L., Hoggett, A.K. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1993. Part 6. Echinoderms of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. pp. 53-65 2 tables in Berry, P.F. (ed.). Marine faunal surveys of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island North-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 44: 91 pp. [61] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica)

Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33 Echinodermata. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia 510 pp. [385] (as Ophiocoma anaglyptica)

History of changes

• Ophiocoma brevipes Peters, W.C.H. 1851. Übersicht der von ihm an der Küste von Mossambique eingesammelten Ophiuren, unter denen sich zwei neue Gattungen befinden. Bericht der Königlisch Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1851: 463-466 [466].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) ZMB 961–962, coast of Mozambique; ZMB 4660 5 specimens, coast of Mozambique.
• Ophiocoma brevispinosa Smith, E.A. 1876. Descriptions of two new species of Ophiocoma. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 4 18(4): 39-40 [40].

  Type data:

   Holotype BMNH 1876.5.5.25, Is. of Rodriguez (western Indian Ocean).
• Ophiopeza danbyi Farquhar, H. 1898. A contribution to the history of New Zealand echinoderms. Journal of the Linnean Society Zool. 26: 186–198, pls 13–14 [189-190, pl. 14(7-8)].

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Clark, H.L. 1915. Catalogue of recent ophiurans: based on the collection of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. Memoirs of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University 25(4): 165-376, pls 1-20 [291] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Distribution

States

Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Indian, Indo-Pacific, North Pacific, South Pacific

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Kenn Transition (16), Northeast Province (18), Timor Province (2), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Transition (3), Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine.

General References

Benham, W.B. 1911. Stellerids and echinids from the Kermadec Islands. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 43: 140–163 figs 1–23 [153-154] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Cherbonnier, G. & Guille, A. 1978. Faune de Madagascar. 48. Echinodermes: Ophiurides. Paris : Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique 272 pp, 77 figs, 17 pls. [168-169, pl. 10(3-4)] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, A.H. 1949. Ophiuroidea of the Hawaiian Islands. Bulletin of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum 195: 3-133, figs 1-22 [53] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, A.H. 1952. Echinoderms from the Marshall Islands. Proceedings of the United States National Museum 102: 265-303 [296] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, A.M. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1971. Monograph of Shallow-water Indo-west Pacific Echinoderms. London : Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History) 238 pp. 100 figs 31 pls. [86-87] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1908. Some Japanese and East Indian echinoderms. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 51(11): 279–311 [296] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1909. Notes on some Australian and Indo-Pacific echinoderms. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 52(7): 109-135 pl. 1 [117] (as Pectinura danbyi)

Clark, H.L. 1909. Scientific results of the trawling expedition of H.M.C.S. Thetis. Echinodermata. Memoirs of the Australian Museum 4(11): 519-564, pls 47-58 [542] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1911. North Pacific ophiurans in the collection of the United States National Museum. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 75: 1-302, figs 1-144 [256] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1917. Reports on the scientific results of the expedition to the eastern tropical Pacific in charge of Alexander Agassiz by the U.S. Fish Commission steamer Albatross, from October, 1904, to March, 1905, Lieut. Commander L.M. Garrett, U.S.N., commanding. X. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard 61(12): 429-453 pls 1-5 [440-441] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1921. The echinoderm fauna of Torres Strait. Papers from the Department of Marine Biology of the Carnegie Institution of Washington 10: 1-224, 38 pls [129-130, pl. 13(7), 34(3-4)] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567 [245-246] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Devaney, D.M. 1970. Studies on ophiocomid brittlestars. I. A new genus (Clarkcoma) of Ophiocominae with a reevaluation of the genus Ophiocoma. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 51: 1-41 figs 1-50 [12-13] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Farquhar, H. 1907. Notes on New Zealand echinoderms, with description of a new species. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 39: 123-130 [126] (as Ophiopeza danbyi)

Guille, A. & Jangoux, M. 1978. Astérides et Ophiurides littorales de la region d'Amboine (Indonésie). Annales de l'Institut Océanographique, Paris 54: 47-74 [62-64] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Hertz, M. 1927. Die Ophiuroiden der deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition. 1. Chilophiurida Mats. (Ophiolepididae: Ophioleucidae: Ophiodermatidae: Ophiocomidae). Wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse der Deutschen Tiefsee-Expedition auf dem Dampfer "Valdivia" 1898–1899 22(3): 59–122 pls 6–9 [118] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Koehler, R. 1898. Échinodermes, receuillis par l'Investigator dans l'Océan Indien. II. Les ophiures littorales. Bulletin Scientique de la France et de la Belgique 31: 55-124, pls 2-5 [81] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Koehler, R. 1905. Ophiures littorales. Siboga Expéditie Monographie 45(b): 1-142, pls 1-18 [61-62] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Koehler, R. 1922. Contributions to the biology of the Philippine Archipelago and adjacent regions. Ophiurans of the Philippine seas and adjacent waters. Bulletin of the United States National Museum 100(5): 1-486, pls 1-103 [319-322, pl. 72(6-9)] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Koehler, R. 1930. Ophiures recueillies par le Docteur Th. Mortensen dans les Mers d'Australie et dans l'Archipel Malais. Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra Dansk Naturhistorisk Forening i Kjøbenhavn 89: 1-295 pls 1-22 [204] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Liao, Y. & Clark, A.M. 1995. The echinoderms of southern China. Beijing : Science Press 614 pp., 23 pls. [258-260, fig. 138] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Lyman, T. 1882. Ophiuroidea. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 5: 1-385 pls 1-48 [172] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Marsh, L.M. 1986. Echinoderms. In Faunal surveys of the Rowley Shoals, Scott Reef and Seringaham Reef, north-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 25: 63-74 [71] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Marsh, L.M., Vail, L.L., Hoggett, A.K. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1993. Part 6. Echinoderms of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. pp. 53-65 2 tables in Berry, P.F. (ed.). Marine faunal surveys of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island North-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 44: 91 pp. [61] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Matsumoto, H. 1917. A monograph of Japanese Ophiuroidea, arranged according to a new classification. Journal of the College of Science, Imperial University of Tokyo 38(2): 1-408, figs 1-100, pls 1-7 [343-345, fig. 95] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

McKnight, D.G. 1968. Some echinoderms from Tongatubu Island and the South Minerva Reef. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 2(4): 712-715 [713] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

McKnight, D.G. 1989. Some echinoderm records from the tropical Southwest Pacific Ocean. DMFS Reports 3: 19-30 [26] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Murakami, S. 1943. Report on the ophiurans of Palao, Caroline Islands. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Kyushu Imperial University 7(4): 159-204 figs 1-17 [193-194] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33 Echinodermata. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia 510 pp. [385] (as Ophiocoma brevipes; five specimens in AM collection from Lord Howe Is. identified as Ophiocoma brevipes by H.L. Clark (1909) were misidentified and represent instead, Ophiocoma dentata. At least three specimens (a further five are in MCZ) identified by H.L. Clark (1938) as Ophiocoma brevipes represent Ophiocoma endeani)

Sloan, N.A., Clark, A.M. & Taylor, J.D. 1979. The echinoderms of Aldabra and their habitats. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zool. 37(2): 81-128 figs 1-22 [104] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

Stöhr, S., Conand, C. & Boissin, E. 2008. Brittle stars (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea) from La Reunion and the systematic position of Ophiocanops Koehler, 1922. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 153(3): 545-560 [553-555, fig. 5e-f] (as Ophiocoma brevipes)

History of changes

• Ophiocoma cynthiae Benavides-Serrato, M. & O'Hara, T.D. 2008. A new species in the Ophiocoma erinaceus complex from the South-west Pacific Ocean (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea: Ophiocomidae). Memoirs of Museum Victoria 65: 51-56 [51-55, fig. 1-2].

  Type data:

   Holotype NMV F112641 1 specimen (Raine stn 7), Raine Island, shallow rocks off tower, 1-2m [11°35.5'S, 144°2.3'E].
  Paratype(s) NMV F91535 5 specimens (Raine stn 7), Raine Island, shallow rocks off tower, 1-2m [11°35.5'S, 144°2.3'E]; NMV F91614 1 specimen, Vaua'u, Keitahi [18°36'S, 173°55'W]; NMV F101821 1 specimen, Naviti, Coral Coast, 0-2m [18°12'S, 178°11'E].

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Indo-Pacific

IMCRA

Lord Howe Province (14), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, inshore, marine.

History of changes