J. Müller & Troschel, 1840
Description
Brittle-stars with distinct scales on arms and disc, but they may be concealed by grains or spines or naked skin.
Arms
The side arm plates are large, not confined to the lower edge of the arms, and often joining in the dorsal and ventral mid-line. The arm spines are not directed downwards, more rarely partly transformed into hooks. The arms are unbranched and move mainly horizontally.
Genital slit
The genital slits are long and narrow, extending from the mouth shield to the edge of the disc. Rarely each genital slit is divided into an inner and outer part, being coalesced in the middle. Only one madreporite present.
Treated taxon:
- Family Amphiuridae
- Family Ophiactidae
- Family Ophiocomidae
- Family Ophiolepidae
- Family Ophiotrichidae
Remark
Genera of the family Ophiocomidae are also classified within the family Ophiacanthidae J. Müller & Troschel, 1842 in the order Laemophiurina.