Symbiotic relation between Antarctic ophiuroids of genus Ophiacantha

摘要

Approximately 30 species or nearly 30% of a total number of ophiuroids living in the Antarctic and Subantarctic area are known. In samples collected by "Islas Orcadas" the specimens of two close ophiacanthid species were detected: 0. vivipara and 0. pentactis. Six-armed juvenile has found in one bursa of the specimen of five-arm non-brooding species O. pentactis. Based on this find supposition was made about presence of juvenile symbiosis (probably parasitism) in Antarctic brittlestars of genus Ophiacantha.