Jacques Garcon, Frankreich
Info
Leptometra phalangium is a feather star endemic to the Mediterranean Sea and the adjacent Sea of Marmara, which lives predominantly in deep water zones.
Fundmeldungen um 40 Meter Wassertiefe, wie in den Stammdaten angegeben, sind absolute Ausnahmen.
The brittle star is an epibenthic suspension feeder that changes its feeding behavior to a deposit feeding behavior when bottom currents decrease.
In addition, Leptometra phalangium differs from permanent sessile benthic species in its ability to move across the seafloor or swim in the water column when disturbed (Smith et al., 2000).
It is also interesting to note that Leptometra phalangium formed very dense aggregations of up to 2900 individuals/1000 m² in a small area south of Malta.
This area is also home to the only known Mediterranean population of the Atlantic starfish Coronaster briareus (Verrill, 1882).
The Mediterranean hair star is found in highly productive marine areas that can support large fish and crustacean populations.
The arm length of Leptometra phalangium is 10 cm.
We would like to thank Jacques Gacon, France, for allowing us to use his special photo.
Synonyms:
Alecto phalangium Müller, 1841 · unaccepted (basionym)
Antedon phalangium (Müller, 1841) · unaccepted (synonym)
Comatula phalangium (Müller, 1841) · unaccepted (synonym)
Fundmeldungen um 40 Meter Wassertiefe, wie in den Stammdaten angegeben, sind absolute Ausnahmen.
The brittle star is an epibenthic suspension feeder that changes its feeding behavior to a deposit feeding behavior when bottom currents decrease.
In addition, Leptometra phalangium differs from permanent sessile benthic species in its ability to move across the seafloor or swim in the water column when disturbed (Smith et al., 2000).
It is also interesting to note that Leptometra phalangium formed very dense aggregations of up to 2900 individuals/1000 m² in a small area south of Malta.
This area is also home to the only known Mediterranean population of the Atlantic starfish Coronaster briareus (Verrill, 1882).
The Mediterranean hair star is found in highly productive marine areas that can support large fish and crustacean populations.
The arm length of Leptometra phalangium is 10 cm.
We would like to thank Jacques Gacon, France, for allowing us to use his special photo.
Synonyms:
Alecto phalangium Müller, 1841 · unaccepted (basionym)
Antedon phalangium (Müller, 1841) · unaccepted (synonym)
Comatula phalangium (Müller, 1841) · unaccepted (synonym)
