Ophiolepis paucispina (Say 1825)

In Panama this species has been collected from Mangote Island (USNM E 52965; Centroid Latitude: 9.5431, Centroid Longitude: -79.6808), Buenaventura Bay, and from La Doncella, Del Padre Island (USNM E 53059, USNM E 53060, USNM E 53061, USNM E 53062, USNM E 53063, USNM E 53064, and USNM E 52966, Centroid Latitude: 9.5800, Centroid Longitude: -79.6700), Colon, Caribbean Sea.

Hansson, H.G. (2001). Echinodermata, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 336-351.

Pawson, D. L., D. J. Vance, C. G. Messing, F. A. Solis-Marin, and C. L. Mah. (2009). Echinodermata of the Gulf of Mexico, Pp. 1177–1204 in Felder, D.L. and D.K. Camp (eds.), Gulf of Mexico–Origins, Waters, and Biota. Biodiversity. Texas A&M Press, College S.

Say, T. (1825). On the species of the Linnaean genus Asterias inhabiting the coast of the U.S. Journal of the Academy of natural sciences of Philadelphia, 5, 141-154.

World Ophiuroidea Database

LSID urn:lsid:marinespecies.org:taxname:124887

Ophiura paucispina Say, 1825

Disk circular (dd = 2.74 to 3.55 mm). Covered by large scales, and surrounded by smaller ones of similar size. Central primary plate circular, well defined, surrounded by five small primary plates, and intercalated by two smaller scales (Fig. 3g). Radial shield triangular, separated distally by three large scales disposed in a triangle. Ventral interradius covered by scales, slightly smaller and narrower than dorsal scales (Fig. 3h). Bursal slits long and narrow. Oral shields pentagonal, elongate, distal margin convex (Fig. 3i). Adoral shields broad, enlarged laterally. Four oral papillae on each side of jaw angle, the three proximal of which are pointed and subequal, the last one being longest and broadest (Fig. 3i). Dorsal arm plate fan-shaped (Fig. 3j). Arm segments with accessory dorsal plate, except near the tip (Fig. 3j). Ventral arm plate pentagonal, with lateral margins concave and distal margin rounded. Two tentacle scales oval, outher one larger. Two arm spines small (Fig. 3l).

Bermuda, the Bahamas, Florida, Caribbean Sea, Panama, Colombia, Brazil, and off Africa (Hendler et al. 1995, Laguarda-Figueras et al. 2009, Alvarado 2011, Benavides-Serrato et al. 2011, Barboza and Borges 2012). In Brazil, from Alagoas (Lima et al. 2011), and Bahia (Abrolhos) (Magalhães et al. 2005). Intertidal to 37 m in depth (Laguarda-Fiqueras et al. 2009). In this study they were found for the first time in the State of Paraíba, between 30 and 33 m.