Pontiometra andersoni
©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: Pontiometra andersoni at Snake Pit, between Lizard Island and the outer barrier reefs.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Crinoidea
Order
Comatulida
Family
Colobometridae
Genus
Pontiometra
Species
Pontiometra andersoni
Colours
Distinguishing features
A large feather star with up to 120 arms and extremely long cirri that have a strong spines on each of the middle and distal segments. Dark burgundy, appears black at a distance. Fully exposed living position.
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
Meyer (1979) first recorded this species from Lizard Island. It is now also known from the Snake Pit, about half-way between Lizard and the north end of Ribbon Reef 10, and the outer reefs. It is not abundant anywhere in the area.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.
Other references
- Meyer, D.L. (1979). Length and spacing of the tube feet in crinoids (Echinodermata) and their role in suspension-feeding, Marine Biology, 51: 361-369. LIRS catalog number 29.
- Meyer, D.L., C.A. La Haye, N.D. Holland, A.C. Arneson and J.R. Strickler (1984). Time-lapse cinematography of feather stars (Echinodermata: Crinoidea) on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: demonstrations of posture changes, locomotion, spawning and possible predation by fish, Marine Biology, 78: 179-184. LIRS catalog number 200.
- View all references