Belyaev, G. M.; Litvinova, N. M. (1972). New genera and species of deep-sea ophiuroidea. Bulleten Moskovskogo Obshchestva Ispytatelej Prirody. Otdel Biologicheskii. 3: 5-20.
Several species of ophiuroids, inhabiting depth more than 6000 m, were discovered in the collection taken by Soviet expeditions on the RV Vityaz and Akademik Kurchatov from abyssal and ultraabyssal depth, mainly in the Pacific and partly in The Indian and Atlantic oceans. Two new genera are established and three new species described: Perlophiura profundissima gen et sp. nov, Homalophiura madseni sp. nov. and Bathylepta pacifica gen. et sp. nov. The opiuroids of the two new genera are the deepest representatives of teh class Ophiuroidea, penetrating into depth exceeding 8 km. New findings are reportedof four more ophiuroid species, some from depth of more than 6000 m. Altogether 11 species of ophiuroids have been identified at present from depth exceeding 6000 m (one of them with two subspecies). Data are presented on their bathymetric and geographic distribution. The ultraabyssal ophiuroid fauna is characterised by a low degree of species endemism, representing in the main a substantially impoverished abyssal fauna.
Systematics, Taxonomy
Zoogeography, Biogeography (generalities), Geographic distribution
