Abstract
Ophiomusium (Ophiolepididae) and Ophiomisidium (Ophiuridae) are similar, but differ in features such as size of the adult, number of disc dorsal plates, length of the arms, shape of the first ventral arm plates and number of the tentacle. In this contribution, a large number of specimens of Ophiomusium acuferum Lyman, 1869 and Ophiomisidium pulchellum (Wyville Thomson, 1878) were sampled from southeastern and southern Brazilian at depths ranging from 46 to 1300 m. A close analysis has shown that specimens identified as Ophiomisidium pulchellum (C.W. Thomson, 1877) in several Brazilian museums are actually Ophiomusium acuferum Lyman, 1875. A total of 2330 individuals were examined: 2046 specimens of Ophiomusium acuferum ('Evaluation of the sustainable potential of living resources from the Brazilian Economic Exclusive Zone/Score South - Benthos' - REVIZEE; 'Rational usage of coastal ecosystems from the Brazilian Tropical Region: Sao Paulo State - Integrated Project/Subproject Benthos' - INTEGRADO; and the MD55/Brazil) and 284 of Ophiomisidium pulchellum (MD55/Brazil). The disc diameter of each individual was measured and the specimens were digitally photographed. The samples studied are deposited in the Museum of Zoology of the University of Campinas and Institute of Biology at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. The specimens from the MD55 are deposited at the Paris Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle. An identification key to these species is provided here. A detailed morphological analysis and redescription of both species, comparisons, and their geographic distribution in Brazil are discussed.
Highlights
Ophiomusium Lyman, 1869 (Ophiolepididae) and Ophiomisidium Koehler, 1914 (Ophiuridae) have similar diagnostic features
Several specimens of the O. pulchellum were sampled by the MD55/Brazil from 825 to 1200 m using a Charcot Pickard Dredge (DC), a Chalut Blake (BC), a Chalut a Perche (CP) and/ or a Sanders Dredge (DS)
Over the years since TOMMASI (1970), several specimens of O. acuferum sampled from Brazilian waters have been identified as O. pulchellum
Summary
Ophiomusium Lyman, 1869 (Ophiolepididae) and Ophiomisidium Koehler, 1914 (Ophiuridae) have similar diagnostic features. The latter was first described by KOEHLER (1914) for two species previously included in Ophiomusium. They have few disc dorsal plates, extremely reduced ventral disc interradial space, reduced or absent bursal slits, and the first three ventral arm plates well developed (rudimental in Ophiomusium). Ophiomisidium pulchellum was first recorded off Pernambuco (Brazil) at 270 m. The objective of this paper is to discuss the differences between Ophiomusium acuferum Lyman, 1875 and Ophiomisidium pulchellum A more detailed taxonomic account of O. acuferum is provided here in order to clarify its records for Brazil
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