Zygometra punctata
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Crinoidea
Order
Comatulida
Family
Zygometridae
Genus
Zygometra
Species
Zygometra punctata
Colours
Distinguishing features
The genus Zygometra is differentiated from other crinoids by a particular type of articulation (a syzygy) in the first division series. This character is virtually impossible to determine in the field. All Zygometra species have strong spines on the distal cirrus segments.
Zygometra punctata is a small crinoid with up to about 20 arms and a good ring of short, stout cirri. Colour appears to vary widely but arms are usually banded.
Size
- Up to 4 cm (Arm length)
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Specimens in the AM collection were found perched at the bases of gorgonians, on a soft coral and in a crevice. They were collected on or at the base of the reef slope near South Island in 15 to 29 m depth.
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
- Clark, A.H. (1911). Seventeen new East Indian crinoids belonging to the families Comasteridae and Zygometridae. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 25: 17-28. LIRS catalog number 90237.
- 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.