Anneissia bennetti is a common species in the Marshalls, most often seen on the seaward reef and on lagoon pinnacles around passes where they spend both day and night perched atop coral or rocky outcrops to catch plankton in passing currents. They appear to be more common in the shallower portions of the outer slope, and are often (not always) replaced on the deeper slope by Cenometra bella, which perches on gorgonians and black corals. It is easily distinguished from the other common shallow to mid-depth species, Comaster schlegelii, by being usually visibly propped up by its numerous (often 30-35) clawlike cirri used to hold onto the substrate. Comaster schlegelii, on the other hand, has fewer (usually 5 to 20) cirri and uses some of its peripheral arms to help anchor the crinoid to rocks or coral. Because of this, the cirri of C. schlegelii are not easily seen in an undisturbed animal. Anneissia bennetti is variable in color and pattern.
The lower left one below is Comaster schlegelii.
Created 23 March 2019
Updated 15 February 2024