Ophiozonella novaecaledoniae n.sp. (Ophiuroidea, Echinodermata): description, ontogeny and phyletic position

Abstract

A new species of Ophiozonella (Ophiuridae, Ophiolepidinae) collected from the bathyal zone of New Caledonia is described and its post-metamorphic growth stages are illustrated and discussed. This species displays different characters inferred to be progenetic, including small size and juvenile morphology. A morphocline of dorsal disc structure in the genus Ophiozonella is elaborated and the general phenomenon of paedomorphosis in the Ophiuridae is considered.

Keywords :

• Echinodermata
• Ophiurlidae
• Bathyal
• Systematics
• Ontogeny
• Paedomorphosis
• Progenesis