Two New Genera and Species of Ophiuroid (Echinodermata) from Hydrothermal Vents in the East Pacific

概要

論文の詳細を見る
Prior to this study, two species of ophiuroid had been described from hydrothermal vent sites, and another from methane cold seeps, all from the Atlantic Ocean. Although ophiuroids have occasionally been reported from vents in the Pacific Ocean as well, none has been described before. This study presents two new species, Spinophiura jolliveti gen. et sp. nov., family Ophiuridae, and Ophiolamina eprae gen. et sp. nov., family Ophiacanthidae, which are most likely endemic to reducing environments in the East Pacific. We also include detailed descriptions of the post-metamorphic development of these species. Spinophiura jolliveti is characterized by up to five rather long, semi-erect arm spines and a relatively small oral shield. Its postlarva is unusual in lacking a buccal scale and in that the tooth forms later in development than in all other species the postlarvae of which have been examined. The most characteristic features of O. eprae are the attitude of the three proximal laminar mouth papillae, standing almost vertically on the oral plate, and the presence of two oval, scale-like, distal papillae. Additional migrant (non-vent-endemic) species found at Pacific vent sites are tabularized, but not identified below genus level due to the poor taxonomic state of the Pacific ophiuroid fauna. Biogeographic and ecological issues are discussed.
日本動物分類学会の論文
2006-02-28