Florometra serratissima (AH Clark 1907)

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: This is the only feather star likely to be encountered in our region.

Soft and hard bottoms

Geographical Range: Northern Alaska to Mexico or farther south to off South America.

Depth Range: 10-1252 m. This species is mostly found in quite deep water but can be found as shallow as 10 m in some restricted localities such as some places in southern British Columbia.

Feather stars are echinoderms structured somewhat like an upside-down brittle star. The 5 arms often fork near the base to form a total of 10 or more arm branches which are often around 10 cm long. Jointed appendages called pinnules branch from the side of the arms, giving the featherlike appearance. The upper surface of the arms has an ambulacral groove, and both the mouth and the anus are on the upper side of the central disk. In feather stars, the aboral side of the central disk has clawlike cirri which function somewhat like bird feet to grasp the substrate. Tan to reddish tan. Armspread to 25 cm.

Biology/Natural History: Feather stars are primarily suspension feeders. They may walk around using the cirri or swim if dislodged using the arms. Feather stars are deepliving and rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest. Juveniles are stalked like the stalked crinoids.