Shallow-Water Echinoderms from British Honduras, with a Description of a New Species of Ophiocoma (Ophiuroidea)

Collections made along the offshore reefs (atolls) and cays of British Honduras in March 1969 reveal 31 additional echinoderm species to three previously known from shallow waters. Specimens were collected from shore to depths over 60 meters by skin- and SCUBA-diving. One crinoid, three asteroids, 20 ophiuroids, one holothuroid, and five echinoids are among the newly recorded fauna. Except for a new species, the other echinoderms are known from additional West Indian localities.

Among the ophiuroids, a new species in the genus Ophiocoma is described; another, Ophiolimna littoralis Koehler, is recognized as a member of the family Ophiodermatidae; the genus Ophiozona Lyman (family Ophiuridae) is reduced to the synonymy of Ophiolepis Müller & Troschel; a polynoid worm, Hermenia verruculosa Grube, is considered a possible commensal on Ophiocoma pumila; and sponge hosts for several ophiotrichid brittlestars are tentatively identified.

An appendix describes the stations and collection sites and includes species collected at each.