Species Comaster multifidus (Müller, 1841)

Museums

Regional Maps

• Actinometra variabilis Bell, F.J. 1882. An attempt to apply a method of formulation to the species of the Comatulidae; with the description of a new species. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1882: 530-536 pl. 35 [535, specific formula].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 1882.2.22.118–119 4 specimens, Thursday Is. QLD.
• Alecto multifida Müller, J. 1841. Über die Gattungen und Arten der Comatulen. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Berlin 1841: 179-189 [185].

  Type data:

   Holotype MNHP EcCh 17, probably northern Australia.
• Actinometra belli Carpenter, P.H. 1888. Crinoidea. II. The Comatulae. Report on the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger 1873–1876, Zoology 26: 1-399 pls 1-70 [334, pl. 64(1-2)].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) BMNH 3 specimens (whereabouts unconfirmed), Challenger stn 186, Torres Strait, Qld.

 

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Rowe, F.W.E., Hoggett, A.K., Birtles, R.A. & Vail, L.L. 1986. Revision of some comasterid genera from Australia (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), with descriptions of two new genera and nine new species. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology 86: 197-277 figs 1-10 [241]

 

Generic Combinations

• Comaster multifidus (Müller, 1841).

 

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

South of Perth, WA to Scawfell Island, QLD; (Molluccas). Depth range 0-183 m.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

drainage basins and coastal and oceanic zones

IMCRA

Timor Transition (1), Northern Shelf Province (25), Northwest Shelf Transition (26), Northwest Shelf Province (27), Central Western Shelf Transition (28), Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)

Original AFD Distribution Data

Australian Region

• Australia
  • 200 m bathymetric: Central W coast, Lower W coast, N coast, NE coast, NW coast
• Indonesia

Ecological Descriptors

Benthic, continental shelf, inshore, marine, suspension feeder, tropical.

 

General References

Clark, H.L. 1946. The echinoderm fauna of Australia. Its composition and its origin. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 566: 1-567

Hoggett, A.K. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1986. A reappraisal of the family Comasteridae A.H. Clark, 1908 (Echinodermata: Crinoidea), with the description of a new subfamily and a new genus. Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology Zool. 88: 103-142 figs 1-3

Marsh, L.M., Vail, L.L., Hoggett, A.K. & Rowe, F.W.E. 1993. Part 6. Echinoderms of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. pp. 53-65 2 tables in Berry, P.F. (ed.). Marine faunal surveys of Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island North-western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum, Supplement 44: 91 pp.

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
15-Sep-2023		11-Dec-2012	MODIFIED
		12-Feb-2010	(import)