species: Zygometra punctata in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Echinodermata > Crinozoa > Crinoidea > Articulata > Comatulida > Himerometroidea > Zygometridae > Zygometra > Zygometra punctata (gallery)
Zygometra punctata


©Anne: Zygometra punctata as found on a sponge on the reef slope near Lizard Head, Lizard Island.

©Anne: Oral surface of Zygometra punctata at Lizard Head reef slope, Lizard Island.

©Anne: Zygometra punctata swimming, Lizard Head reef slope, Lizard Island.

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Echinodermata
Class Crinoidea
Order Comatulida
Family Zygometridae
Genus Zygometra
Species Zygometra punctata
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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 punctata has only about 20 arms and it has a good ring of short, stout cirri. Colour varies widely.

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.

Most specimens in the Australian Museum collection were collected on or at the base of the reef slope near South Island in relatively deep water (15 to 29 m).

Web resources

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.
  • Clark, A.M. and F.W.E. Rowe (1971). Monograph of shallow-water Indo-west Pacific echinoderms British Museum (Natural History), London.
  • 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.