©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: This well-hidden specimen from Big Vicki's Reef has not been properly identified but it appears to be Stephanometra. The photo was taken during the day. See more photos of the same animal below.
©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: The specimen in the photo at the top of this page has been removed from the coral. Note the strong, spike-like oral pinnules.
©Lyle Vail and Anne Hoggett: Underside of the same specimen.
Distinguishing features
Four species of Stephanometra have been recorded from Lizard Island: S. echinus, S. indica, S. oxyacantha and S. spicata. The main characters used to separate the species are arm number, cirrus number and ornamentation, and shape of the oral pinnules. However, these characters overlap substantially and the taxonomy needs to be revised. See Clark and Rowe's (1971) key.
A characteristic of the genus is that at least one of the proximal pinnules is enlarged and very stiff and spike-like. The division series are well-separated from each other and they have rounded edges. Neither of these characters is easy to see in the field.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Distribution and habitat preferences
Stephanometra species are common throughout the at Lizard Island group although they are rarely seen during the day. Like Dichrometra palmata they emerge from their hiding places at sunset and feed during the night.
