©Lyle Vail: Underside of the specimen shown above
Colours
Distinguishing features
Comatulids are distinguised from all other featherstar families by having terminal segments of the oral pinnules modified to form a comb. Comatulids also have a distinctive "feel" due to well developed hooks on most pinnules that cause them to cling like velcro.
Twenty to 30 very slender arms, usually longer on one side of the body than the other. Very few or no cirri. A distinctive colour pattern: khaki or pale green with white patches or spots on the arms and particularly on the pinnules, giving them a beaded appearance.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Cryptic or semi-cryptic, usually partially concealed in branching coral. It is also found completely concealed under rubble or sponges.
Clarkcomanthus albinotus is found throughout the Lizard Island group but it is most common in backreef areas.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Rowe, F.W.E., A.K. Hoggett, R.A. Birtles and L.L. Vail (1986). Revision of some comasterid general from Australia (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), with descriptions of two new genera and nine new species, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 86: 197-277. LIRS catalog number 198.
- Summers, M. M., C.G. Messing and G.W. Rouse (2014). Phylogeny of Comatulidae (Echinodermata: Crinoidea: Comatulida): A new classification and an assessment of morphological characters for crinoid taxonomy, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 80: 319-339. LIRS catalog number 1813.
Other references
- Rouse, G.W., D. Lanterbecq, M.M. Summers & I. Eeckhaut (2015). Four new species of Mesomyzostoma (Myzostomida: Annelida), Journal of Natural History, 50: 1-23. LIRS catalog number 1944.
- View all references