The elegant feather star (''Tropiometra carinata'') is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...
of
crinoid
Crinoids are marine animals that make up the Class (biology), class Crinoidea. Crinoids that are attached to the sea bottom by a stalk in their adult form are commonly called sea lilies, while the unstalked forms are called feather stars or coma ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Tropiometridae.
Description
Elegant feather stars may grow to 20 cm in total length. They are variably coloured in yellow to brown and are occasionally variegated in yellow and brown. They have ten long arms with ciliated side branches that taper to a point. They have 20-30 cirri per arm.
[Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. ''Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa'' ]
Distribution
These animals are found off the
South African coast from the Cape Peninsula to Mozambique as well as circumtropically. They are seen subtidally and down to at least 51m underwater.
Ecology
Elegant feather stars are usually found singly on shallow reefs and are more abundant on deeper reefs. If displaced they may swim using their arms.
Commensal
Commensalism is a long-term biological interaction ( symbiosis) in which members of one species gain benefits while those of the other species neither benefit nor are harmed. This is in contrast with mutualism, in which both organisms benefit fr ...
organisms such as the
myzostomid worm ''
Myzostoma fuscomaculatum
''Myzostoma fuscomaculatum'', the crinoid worm, is a species of marine (ocean), marine worm in the family (biology), family Myzostomida.Lanterbecq D., Hempson T., Griffiths C. & Eeckhaut I, 2008. ''Myzostoma fuscomaculatum'' (Myzostomida), a new ...
'' (shown in main image) and the crinoid shrimp ''
Hippolyte catagrapha'' are found on the specimens found in False Bay.
Synonyms
According to the World Register of Marine Species, the following species are synonyms of ''Tropiometra carinata'':
*''Antedon brasiliensis'' Carpenter, 1879
*''Antedon capensis'' Bell, 1905
*''Antedon carinata'' (Lamarck, 1816)
*''Comatula carinata'' Lamarck, 1816 (basionym)
*''Comatula picta'' Gay, 1854
*''Tropiometra audouini'' AH Clark, 1911
*''Tropiometra carinata audouini'' (AH Clark, 1911)
*''Tropiometra carinata carinata'' (Lamarck, 1816)
*''Tropiometra carinata clarki'' (Gislén, 1938)
*''Tropiometra carinata indica'' (AH Clark, 1912)
*''Tropiometra clarki'' Gislén, 1938
*''Tropiometra encrinus'' AH Clark, 1911
*''Tropiometra indica'' AH Clark, 1912
*''Tropiometra picta'' (Gay, 1854)
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q1960836
Tropiometridae
Animals described in 1816