Kingdom Animalia Phylum Echinodermata Rank Species | Family Antedonidae Genus Leptometra Subclass Articulata | |
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Similar Leptometra, Antedon petasus, Antedon bifida, Articulata, Antedon | ||
Leptometra celtica is a marine invertebrate, a species of crinoid or feather star in the family Antedonidae. It is found around the coasts of north west Europe.
Contents
Description
Leptometra celtica has ten pinnate arms with neatly held side branches. The cirri on the underside of the disc are long and pure white in colour. The arms may be banded in red and white or plain coloured in brown, white or red. In areas of moderate current specimens have been observed to spread their arms out into a vertical fan across the current. Antedon petasus at the same site were not showing this behaviour. Arms typically 7-10 cm in length.
Distribution and habitat
L. celtica is found on the coasts of north west Europe, the range extending from Scandinavia south to Britain. Typically a deep water form in the NE Atlantic which has also been found in water as shallow as 20 m in sheltered localities and sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland.
Biology
L. celtica is a suspension feeder, catching detritus and plankton with the tube feet on its pinnules.