Ophiactis tyleri Stohr & Segonzac 2005

Ophiactis tyleri Stöhr & Segonzac, 2005 Reports for the Azores:

Ophiactis tyleri $ St̂hr & Segonzac, 2005: 397–398, fig. 9; $ Desbruyères et al. 2006: 482, figs. 1–3.

Type locality: Mid-Atlantic Ridge, Azores (38°18’58”N, 30°40’32”W).

See: St̂hr & Segonzac (2005); Desbruyères et al. (2006).

Occurrence: known only from Azorean waters, namely the Menez Gwen hydrothermal fields (St̂hr & Segonzac 2005).

Depth: 842–844 m (AZO; St̂hr & Segonzac 2005).

Habitat: hard substrates; can be found at hydrothermal vents (St̂hr & Segonzac 2005).

Larval stage: unknown; also reproduces asexually fission (Desbruyères et al. 2006).

Remarks: Ophiactis tyleri is relatively recently described species known only from two specimens collected at two stations in the Azores deep waters by DIVANAUT 1 cruise. Though not restricted chemosynthetic environments, O. tyleri is the first Ophiactis species to be recorded from hydrothermal vents (St̂hr & Segonzac 2005; see remarks under Ophioctenella acies).