Distinguishing features

Comasterids are distinguised from all other featherstar families by having terminal segments of the oral pinnules modified to form a comb. Comasterids a also have a distinctive "feel" due to well developed hooks on most pinnules that cause them to cling like velcro.

Comanthus wahlbergii has up to 25 slender arms, often longer on one side of the animal than the other, and a good ring of cirri.

Colour varies widely, both at Lizard Island and across its wide Indo-west Pacific distribution. At Lizard Island, the brachials are usually a solid colour including white, bright yellow, yellow/green, and a deep dusty blue, but occasionally a darker midline is present on the underside of the arms and the brachials may be covered with irridescent spots. Pinnules are often conspicuously different in colour to the brachials.

Comanthus samoanus is an old name (a junior synonym) for this species.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Comanthus wahlbergii is generally completely concealed during the day, living within reef cavities or under large slabs of rubble. Several arms are extended into the water column at night (Vail, 1987a).

This species is found throughout the Lizard Island Group but it is not often noticed because of its cryptic habitat.

Web resources

References