Genus Ophiopholis Müller & Troschel, 1842

Fig. 28

Type species

Asterias aculeata Linnaeus, 1767 .

Examined species

Ophiopholis aculeata .

Oral GP

Flat, oval scale.

Adradial GP

Flat, blade-like for most of its length, distal end bulbous with several depressions and protrusions, curved dorsalwards. Proximal part tapered, ventral edge convex, dorsal edge straight. Distal condyle asymmetrically near arm meets condyle on RS, ridge at lateral abradial depression attaches to abGP. Large oval depression with finer stereom on dorsal side on proximal part of bulb.

Abradial GP

Kidney-shaped to half-circle, strong, half as long as adGP, distal end wider and thicker, with a groove that attaches to a ridge at adGP. Proximal end rounded tapered.

Oral shields

Oral shield inner surface with two weakly expressed spurs on midline. Madreporite inner surface proximally and in centre domed with large hole, opening in hydropore at proximal edge; lateral and distal margins flat and thinner.

Radial shield

Inner surface with large distal condyle, bordered by long, curved groove, proximal to condyle an oval patch of finer stereom.