The Noble Feather Star, Comaster nobilis, is a captivating marine invertebrate belonging to the class Crinoidea, which encompasses the sea lilies and feather stars. This species is characterized by its unique and elegant structure, with a central body, or calyx, from which numerous feathery arms extend, giving it its namesake appearance.
Description & Characteristics
The Noble Feather Star, Comaster nobilis, is a visually striking creature that can reach a considerable size, with individuals often exceeding 20 centimeters in diameter. Their body is composed of a central calyx, which houses the internal organs, and numerous feathery arms that radiate outwards. These arms are covered in pinnules, tiny feather-like appendages that aid in the capture of food. The color of the Noble Feather Star can vary depending on the individual and its environment, ranging from shades of brown and grey to vibrant hues of red and orange.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Noble Feather Star, Comaster nobilis, is a versatile species found in a variety of marine habitats. It prefers the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, residing in the deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. These zones encompass both shallow, near-shore environments and deeper, continental shelf areas. The Noble Feather Star is commonly found in neritic zones, which are marine environments influenced by the land and extend from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
The Noble Feather Star, Comaster nobilis, belongs to the class Crinoidea, which encompasses all sea lilies and feather stars. Within this class, it is further classified into the order Comatulida, a group of feather stars characterized by their ability to move freely. The Comaster nobilis species is part of the Comatulidae family, a family containing a diverse range of feather star species known for their intricate arm structures.
Feeding
The Noble Feather Star, Comaster nobilis, is a filter feeder, relying on the capture of microscopic organisms in the water column. These organisms, primarily zooplankton, are captured by the numerous pinnules that line the arms. As the Noble Feather Star extends its arms, these pinnules create a net-like structure that traps passing zooplankton. The trapped food is then transported to the mouth located in the center of the calyx, where it is ingested and digested.
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