|
|
Family: Amphiuridae
[Ophiostigma isacanthum (Say, 1825)] |
Bocas Species Database Habitat: All reef zones, and seagrass beds. Distribution: Caribbean Natural History Notes: Individuals can autotomize and regenerate the disk. Regenerated disks have spinules and radial shields of typical shape. Depth: 1-223 m Characteristics: An individual of average size grows to 4.2 mm in disk diameter and has five arms of 14.2 mm in length. Specimens with 7 mm disk diameters have been collected. The disk is covered by short, blunt tubercles that cover the scales and sometimes the radial shields. One feature that distinguishes it from Ophiocnida scabriuscula is its distalmost oral papillae are long, opercular, and close the gaps between the jaws. The three arm spines are blunt and somewhat flattened. The disk is gray to brown with reddish brown, gray-brown, orange, or black markings. Particles of fine sediment and debris adhere to the dorsal surface of the disk and arms, giving the animal a sandy appearance. The outer ends of the radial shields are usually white and the tips of the arm spines are reddish or orange. |