Ophiolepis

Lore & Background

Brittle stars in the genus Ophiolepis have a disk that is covered in circular shields. The larger of these shields are surrounded by belts of smaller ones. At the base of each of the five arms are small notches in the disk. Arm spines are arranged along the outer edge of the side arm plates. Species within Ophiolepis can have a variety of colors.

The type species of the genus is Ophiolepis superba, though the original type species was Ophiura annulosa, which is now accepted as Ophiomastix annulosa. The genus is the type genus for the family Ophiolepididae.

Reader's Guide

Ophiolepis holds significance as the type genus of the family Ophiolepididae, anchoring the taxonomic classification of that family. The genus currently includes 26 accepted species, described by various authors over time. Its defining morphological feature—a disk covered in circular shields, with larger shields surrounded by belts of smaller ones—distinguishes it from other brittle star genera. The presence of small notches at the base of each arm and arm spines arranged along the outer edge of side arm plates further characterize the genus. The taxonomic history includes a change in the type species: originally designated as Ophiura annulosa, that species is now accepted as Ophiomastix annulosa, and the current type species is Ophiolepis superba. This reflects ongoing refinement in brittle star systematics. The variety of colors observed among species adds to the genus's biological interest, though no specific ecological or behavioral details are provided in the source.

Did You Know?

• The type species of Ophiolepis is Ophiolepis superba.
• There are 26 accepted species in the genus Ophiolepis.