Quick Search
To Advanced Search
Taxonomy
Phylum: Echinodermata
This is not a Mollusc. Other non-Molluscan Phyla (Echinodermata, Brachiopoda etc) have been included to help identify species that may be mistaken for Mollusca, but are not.
Family:
AMPHIURIDAE
Full Classification:
Echinodermata (Phylum)
> Asterozoa (Subphylum)
> Ophiuroidea (Class)
> Myophiuroidea (Subclass)
> Metophiurida (Infraclass)
> Ophintegrida (Superorder)
> Amphilepidida (Order)
> Amphiuroidea (Superfamily)
> Amphiuridae (Family)
> Ophiocentrus (Genus)
> novaezelandiae (Species)
Genus Synonyms:
=Amphiocnida Verrill, 1899
Images: Ophiocentrus novaezelandiae Gilsén, 1926
Under stones below low tide, Henderson Bay, Far North, NZ. ~60-70mm. Reproduced courtesy of iNaturalist.nz ©tangatawhenua
Under stones below low tide, Henderson Bay, Far North, NZ. ~60-70mm
Under stones below low tide, Henderson Bay, Far North, NZ. ~60-70mm
Under stones below low tide, Henderson Bay, Far North, NZ. ~60-70mm
Taxonomy
Phylum: Echinodermata
This is not a Mollusc. Other non-Molluscan Phyla (Echinodermata, Brachiopoda etc) have been included to help identify species that may be mistaken for Mollusca, but are not.
Family:
AMPHIURIDAE
Full Classification:
Echinodermata (Phylum)
> Asterozoa (Subphylum)
> Ophiuroidea (Class)
> Myophiuroidea (Subclass)
> Metophiurida (Infraclass)
> Ophintegrida (Superorder)
> Amphilepidida (Order)
> Amphiuroidea (Superfamily)
> Amphiuridae (Family)
> Ophiocentrus (Genus)
> novaezelandiae (Species)
Genus Synonyms:
=Amphiocnida Verrill, 1899
Details: Ophiocentrus novaezelandiae Gilsén, 1926
Distribution:
Predominantly North Island west coast to Cook Strait, and east coast Northland to Auckland
Geographical Range:
ACE.
Notes:
Marine, Endemic, On soft sandy or muddy substrates. Sublittoral to over 280 metres
Distribution Map
 
References and Publications
  • Mills, S., Neill, K., Anderson, O., Davey, N. 2017 Extraordinary Echinoderms. A guide to the echinoderms of New Zealand. Version 2, Niwa Guides (p.35)

Key to Geographical Ranges
NZ Map showing Geographical Ranges
The symbols K.A.C.F.M.An. are used to indicate the geographical range of the species. They have been adopted to give an approximation of the range of each species within New Zealand.
K=
Kermadec Islands
A=
Aupourian - Kaipara Harbour, north around North Cape, encompassing the Three Kings Islands and south to East Cape
C=
Cookian - Lower North Island and the northern part of the South Island
F=
Forsterian - Otago, Fiordland and Stewart Island
M=
Moriorian - Chatham Islands, Pitt Island
An=
Antipodean - Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand
Fw =
Freshwater
L =
Land
N =
North Island
S =
South Island
E =
Endemic
I =
Introduced
R =
Recent
Sf =
Subfossil
Fo =
Fossil