species: Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum in Lizard Island area: all known taxa (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Lizard Island area: all known taxa > Animalia > Echinodermata > Crinoidea > Comatulidae > Clarkcomanthus > Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum (gallery)
Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum


©Anne Hoggett: Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum from under rubble at North Point, Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum from under rubble at North Point, Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum from under rubble at North Point, Lizard Island. The syzygy between the third and fourth free arm segments can be seen on several arms.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Crinoidea
Order Comatulida
Family Comatulidae
Genus Clarkcomanthus
Species Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum

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Lizard Island Field Guide
Lizard Island area: all known taxa

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Distinguishing features

Featherstars in the family Comatulidae are distinguised from all others 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 luteofuscum is usually partially concealed in branching coral but may be fully hidden under rubble. Twenty to 40 short, stout arms that move stiffly. A syzygy (an articulation that looks like a dashed line externally) between segments 3 and 4 on free arms. A good ring of cirri. Pinnule segments very short and spinous. Combed pinnules do not extend further along the arm than the second one on the external side of the free arm. Individuals are usually green, brown or reddish brown.

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

It is found most commonly near the reef crest and on shallow lagoon patch reefs. Dense aggregations often form within coral branches in these areas.

Clarkcomanthus luteofuscum is common throughout the Lizard Island group within its preferred habitat.

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.