Amphiura

Amphiura sp. A Stöhr and Segonzac, 2005

Amphiura sp. Stöhr and Segonzac 2005: 396 –397, figure 8

Material examined. Kidd MV, TTR14, stn AT528, 6 inds. (DBUA 001077.01); stn AT560, 3 ind. (DBUA 001077.02); Meknès MV, TTR14 stn AT541, 9 inds. (DBUA 001077.03); Yuma MV, TTR16, stn AT604, 1 ind. (DBUA 001078.01); Darwin MV, TTR16, stn AT608, 1 ind. (DBUA 001078.02); Captain Arutyunov MV, TTR14, stn AT546, 3 inds. (DBUA 001077.04); West of Gibraltar Strait, TTR14, stn AT551, 1 ind. (DBUA 001077.05); Pen Duick Escarpment, TTR16, stn AT600, 1 ind. (DBUA 001078.03).

Remarks. This species, herein designated as Amphiura sp. A, closely resembles the description given by Stöhr and Segonzac (2005) from West Atlantic cold seeps. The species is characterised by, having two tentacle scales on each arm tentacle pore and a scale-like distal oral scale, ten with a more spike-like scale situated on the adoral shields and just three arm spines, a character shared with other Amphiura species, the middle arm spine of the three is swollen.

We have not formally classified this species because Amphiura species with three arm spines are common within the family (approximately 28 species). To formally name this species would require a major taxonomic review which is beyond the scope of the present work.

Ecology and distribution. Amphiura sp. A as described by Stöhr & Segonzac was previously known from mud sediments among chemosynthetic fauna (Bathymodiolus boomerang, Escarpia sp.) of the Orinoco cold seeps, West Atlantic, at 1947 m. In the Gulf of Cadiz it has a wide distribution in the shallow and western areas of the Moroccan margin (carbonate provinces) predominantly associated to the presence of carbonate crusts and covering a bathymetric range of. 489–1345 m (Fig. 7 C). It was recorded from five mud volcanoes and two other sites with carbonate chimneys or crusts, often co-occurring with Amphipholis squamata and occasionally with other Amphiuridae (Amphioplus hexabrachiatus, Amphiura filiformis and Amphiura grandisquama).