The Bennett’s Feather Star – Anneissia bennetti is a captivating species of crinoid, commonly known as a feather star. These delicate creatures are easily recognized by their feathery arms, which they use to filter food from the surrounding water.
Description & Characteristics
The Anneissia bennetti is a relatively small crinoid, typically reaching a maximum size of around 10 centimeters. Its body, known as a calyx, is small and compact, with a distinct pattern of plates. From the calyx extend numerous slender, flexible arms, often numbering in the dozens. These arms are covered in cirri, small, hair-like structures that help the Anneissia bennetti to grip onto surfaces and filter food from the water.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Bennett’s Feather Star – Anneissia bennetti is a common inhabitant of coral reefs and rocky shores in tropical and subtropical regions. It is typically found at depths ranging from 10 to 100 meters, residing within the mesopelagic zone, also known as the twilight zone, where light levels are diminished but not entirely absent. This adaptability allows Anneissia bennetti to thrive in a variety of marine environments.
Taxonomy
The Anneissia bennetti belongs to the Class Crinoidea, which encompasses all crinoids, including feather stars, sea lilies, and comatulids. It is further classified within the Order Comatulida, comprising the free-living crinoids that are commonly known as feather stars. Finally, Anneissia bennetti is part of the Family Comatulidae, a diverse group of feather stars known for their intricate structures and colorful patterns.
Feeding
The Anneissia bennetti is a suspension feeder, relying on the currents to bring plankton and other small organisms to its feathery arms. As the water flows past, the cirri on the arms trap these food particles, which are then transported to the mouth located on the underside of the calyx. This efficient feeding strategy allows Anneissia bennetti to thrive in nutrient-rich waters, contributing to the biodiversity of its habitat.
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