Rediscovery and Redescription of a Rare Japanese Brittle Star, Amphiura multispina (Echinodermata, Ophiuroidea, Amphiuridae)

Amphiura multispina, first obtained from Tokyo Bay in 1878, was known only from its holotype prior to the present report. In this contribution, A. multispina is redescribed based on an examination of the holotype and of specimens of the species from a recently discovered population in Shizugawa Bay, Honshu, Japan. In addition, the first photographs of living A. multispina, and novel observations on the burrowing ophiuroids in their natural habitat, are discussed with regard to the biology of the species.