Family OPHIOLEUCIDAE

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Introduction

The family Ophioleucidae comprises five genera and is widespread in the Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Pacific oceans. Four genera are recorded in Australian waters, represented by five species.

Species of Ophioleucidae are distinguished from other ophiurids by the following combination of character states: arms long and slender, commonly constricted at nodes, inserted ventrally below disc and not firmly fused with it; arm spines few, small and adpressed; disc with granules and spinules; continuous series of oral papillae along free margin of jaws.

General References

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

Madsen, F.J. 1977. The Ophioleucidae. Galathea Report 14: 109-122 figs 1-7 8 pls

Madsen, F.J. 1983. A review of the Ophioleucinae stat. rev. (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea) with the erection of a new genus Ophiostriatus. Steenstrupia 9(2): 29-69 figs 1-45

Paterson, G.L.J. 1985. The deep-sea Ophiuroidea of the North Atlantic Ocean. Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Zool. 49(1): 1-162, figs 1-59

Rowe, F.W.E. & Gates, J. 1995. Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Vol. 33 Echinodermata. Melbourne : CSIRO Australia 510 pp. [403]

Spencer, W.K. & Wright, C.W. 1966. Asterozoans. pp. U4-U107 figs 1-89 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part U. Echinodermata. 3. Asterozoa-Echinozoa. Kansas : Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press Vol. 1.

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