Family Ophiomyxidae

Ophiomyxa Mueller & Troschel, 1840

Ophiomyxa brevirima H. L. Clark

• Clark, H. L., 1915. Cat. Rec. Ophiurans, p. 169.

Material Examined: Numerous specimens, including the following from deep water. The species has, till now, been regarded as a littoral and sublittoral form, but it evidently ranges from low tide level to at least the base of the archibenthal zone. 300 fathoms, Canyon C, east of Otago Heads, several bright yellow specimens; 250–300 fathoms, Dom. Mus. Station B.S.191, east Otago, 8 specimens; 100–150 fathoms, Cook Strait, VUZ Station 15, 5 specimens; 106–98 fathoms, Canyon E, ESE off Otago Heads, E. Batham.

The bright yellow specimens from 300 fathoms were taken by Dr. Elizabeth Batham, who informs me that the colour in life was Munsell Y8/10. In view of the unusual appearance of the specimens, it should be stated that the skeletal characters coincide precisely with the rock-pool form, a purplish-brown form with darker and lighter stripes on the arms. A few basal arm-segments, however, carry 5 spines instead of the more usual 4.