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Skeletal characters for identification of juvenile Ophiactis resiliens and Amphiura constricta (Echinodermata): cryptic ophiuroids in coralline turf habitat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2006

I. Falkner  and
M. Byrne
I. Falkner
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Histology, F13, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
M. Byrne
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Histology, F13, University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
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Abstract

Skeletal development of Ophiactis resiliens and Amphiura constricta was examined to determine characters that could be used to identify the juveniles of these species, which co-occur in algal turf habitat. Juvenile O. resiliens recruit to turf after a planktonic larval stage while A. constricta recruit through release from brooding adults. Skeletal development in O. resiliens and A. constricta is typical of most ophiuroids with diagnostic adult characters taking some time to appear. The main characters that can be used to distinguish the two species from an early stage are the number and arrangement of the oral papillae and the presence of disc spines. In O. resiliens diagnostic adult skeletal characters developed at 1.5 mm disc diameter. In A. constricta most identifying adult characters were evident at 700 μm disc diameter. Identification of juvenile O. resiliens is assisted by the presence of disc spines and thorny arm spines, features that disappear as the juveniles grow. Juvenile A. constricta did not develop disc spines or thorns on the arm spines.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 86 , Issue 5 , October 2006 , pp. 1199 - 1207
Copyright
2006 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

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