Zygometra microdiscus
©Lyle Vail: Zygometra microdiscus at Watson's Bay, Lizard Island, 18 metres depth. Diameter is about 22 cm.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Crinoidea
Order
Comatulida
Family
Zygometridae
Genus
Zygometra
Species
Zygometra microdiscus
Colours
Distinguishing features
The genus Zygometra is differentiated from other crinoids by a particular type of articulation in the first division series. This character is impossible to determine in living specimens, making the genus difficult to identify in the field.
Zygometra microdiscus adults have 50 to 90 arms and long cirri with at least 40 segments. The distal cirrus segments have a distinct spine. Colour varies between individuals.
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
This species occurs in a sandy-bottom habitat on the western side of the island group in water deeper than 12 m.
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
- Lowry, J.K. and B.A.R. Azman (2008). A new genus and species of cyproideid amphipod associated with unstalked crinoids on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Zootaxa, 1760: 59-68. LIRS catalog number 1186.
- Messing, C.G., D.L. Meyer, U.E. Siebeck, L.S. Jermiin, D.I. Vaney and G.W. Rouse (2006). A modern soft-bottom, shallow-water crinoid fauna (Echinodermata) from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia, Coral Reefs, 25: 164-168. LIRS catalog number 956.
- View all references