Synoptic Keys to the Genera of Ophiuroidea
Family Asteroschematidae Verrill, 1899 — (Restr. Mortensen, 1933)
Family
Asteroschematidae
Verrill, 1899
(Restr. Mortensen, 1933)
1 (2) |
Radial shields small, naked, glassy, without spines: disc and arms plated or granulated, arm-spines very small and irregular: proximal part of arm usually dilated, contracting abruptly at the disc. . . . Astrocharis Koehler, 1904. *virgo Koehler, 1904. Indonesia. 300 fms. |
2 (1) |
Radial shields covered by skin or granules: proximal part of arm not dilated. |
3 (8) |
Ventral arm-plate separating lateral plates. |
4 (5) |
Arms short, 2–5 times disc-diameter (possibly juvenile stages of other genera). . . . Ophiuropsis Studer, 1884. *lymani Studer, 1884. S. W. Africa. 60 fms. |
5 (4) |
Arms long, many times disc-diameter. |
6 (7) |
Large buccal shield. . . . Astrobrachion Doederlein, 1927 (as restricted by Mrtsn. 1933a). *Ophiocreas constrictus Farquhar, 1900. New Zealand. Littoral in fiords and archibenthic. |
7 (6) |
No buccal shield. . . . Astroscolex Mortensen, 1933a. *Ophiocreas adhaerens Studer, 1884. Australia. 50 fms. |
8 (3) |
Lateral arm-plates fused together on the ventral midline, not separated by ventral plate. page 12 |
9 (10) |
Disc covered by granulated skin. . . . Asteroschema Oersted & Lütken, 1856. Syn.: Laspalia Ljungman. *Asterias oligactes Pallas, 1788. Caribbean. 100 fms. |
10 (9) |
Disc covered by naked skin. . . . Ophiocreas Lyman, 1879. *lumbricus Lyman, 1879. Caribbean. 100 fms. |