Colours

Distinguishing features

Featherstars in the family Comatulidae are distinguished 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.

Clarkcomanthus alternans has numerous arms that are held quite stiffly in a bush-like posture. There are no cirri in adults, although very small specimens may have a few small cirri. The central part of the underside is characteristically uneven because each arm division is slightly twisted, even in small specimens.

Most individuals are dark brown or green/brown all over, often with fine paler speckles. Specimens with larger patches of white also occur. Juveniles are speckled with green or yellow on the underside.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Individuals are fully exposed or sometimes partly concealed, usually perching on hard corals or rubble or occasionally on sea whips. Having no cirri, they grip the substrate with "elbows" in their bent arms. Juveniles are more cryptic than adults, concealed under rubble or in crevices.

Clarkcomanthus alternans is present in low numbers at many localities around the Lizard Island group and it is moderately common in some areas, usually below 10 m depth.

Web resources

References