Abstract:
Previously 36 echinoderm species have been reported from Pakistan (Tahera, 1996). Out of them 10 are ophiuroids (Tahera, in press). The present paper is based on an amphiurid ophiuroid Amphipholis squamata obtained during the Pakistani S/V Behr Paima Cruise 2002 on the Mekran coast. Amphipholis squamata is a new record from coastal waters of Pakistan. Earlier records from the western Indian Ocean show that this species was reported from Mumbai by Sane and Chhapgar (1962) while Clark and Rowe (1971) reported the species along with A. misera from the South East Arabian coast and Price (1983) reported it from Saudi Arabia. Amphipholis squamuta is an amazing species. It appeared more than 100 millions years ago. At present time, it is the only Ophiuroid considered as cosmopolitan (Dupont, 2000). The disc diameter measured 3 mm from one end of disc to the other while arm length measured from the base of the arm to the tip of the arm is 12mm, the ratio between these two is 1:4. The specimen is housed in the MRC. (Cat. No. ECHI. 56). The species is well described. The specimen is easily identified and agrees well with the description given by Price (1983). The Pakistani specimen however is illustrated to facilitate identification (Fig. 1A-D).
Page(s):
91-92
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Pakistan Journal of Marine Sciences, Volume: 12, Issue: 1, Year: 2003