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Rosy feather star (Antedon bifida)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.Map Help

Summary

Description

A feather star with five pairs of feathery arms, 5-10 cm in length. The species is secured to the substratum by movable, claw-like cirri, up to about 25, on the undersurface of the disc. The animal is thus able to crawl, often quite swiftly. The colour of Antedon bifida is varied, red, pink, orange or yellow, often mottled or banded.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Antedon bifida is found around most of Britain and Ireland but is apparently absent from the southern part of the east coast of England.

Global distribution

Widely distributed in north-west Europe from Shetland to Portugal.

Habitat

Antedon bifida is found from the shallow sublittoral to depths of 450 m but is most abundant between 15 and 40 m (La Touche, 1978). It is occasionally observed at the level of the lowest spring tides. It is free-moving but is usually found clinging by its cirri to the walls of gullies and on seaweeds in areas of fast flowing water currents.

Depth range

from ELWS to -450m.

Identifying features

  • Five pairs of feathery arms.
  • Central disc with mouth and umbulacral grooves on the upper surface.
  • Without stalk. Up to 25, rarely 30, short cirri on the undersurface of the central disc.
  • Oral side branches or pinnules long and modified, about 35 segments.
  • Three sizes of tube feet arranged in groups of three on the 'feathers' or pinnules of each arm.

Additional information

Antedon bifida may be confused with another feather-star species Antedon petasus which has a more northerly distribution around the British Isles. Antedon petasus is larger and has 50 or so short cirri on the undersurface of the disc.

Listed by

- none -

Biology review

Taxonomy

PhylumEchinodermata
ClassCrinoidea
OrderComatulida
FamilyAntedonidae
GenusAntedon
Authority(Pennant, 1777)
Recent Synonyms

Biology

Typical abundanceHigh density
Male size rangediameter 10-20cm
Male size at maturity
Female size rangeMedium(11-20 cm)
Female size at maturity
Growth formPinnate
Growth rateData deficient
Body flexibilityHigh (greater than 45 degrees)
Mobility
Characteristic feeding methodPassive suspension feeder
Diet/food source
Typically feeds onparticulate matter such as detritus and plankton.
Sociability
Environmental positionEpibenthic
DependencyIndependent.
SupportsHost

Myzostoma, a parasitic hermaphrodite polychaete.

Is the species harmful?No

Biology information

Mobility
Feather-stars are also able to swim short distances by moving the arms up and down through the water.

Habitat preferences

Physiographic preferencesOpen coast, Offshore seabed, Strait / sound, Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zone preferencesCircalittoral offshore, Lower circalittoral, Lower infralittoral, Sublittoral fringe, Upper circalittoral, Upper infralittoral
Substratum / habitat preferencesMacroalgae, Bedrock, Large to very large boulders
Tidal strength preferencesModerately Strong 1 to 3 knots (0.5-1.5 m/sec.)
Wave exposure preferencesModerately exposed, Sheltered, Very sheltered
Salinity preferencesFull (30-40 psu)
Depth rangefrom ELWS to -450m.
Other preferencesNo text entered
Migration Pattern

Habitat Information

No text entered

Life history

Adult characteristics

Reproductive typeGonochoristic (dioecious)
Reproductive frequency Annual episodic
Fecundity (number of eggs)No information
Generation time
Age at maturity1-2 years.
SeasonSee additional text
Life spanInsufficient information

Larval characteristics

Larval/propagule type-
Larval/juvenile development Planktotrophic
Duration of larval stage2-10 days
Larval dispersal potential No information
Larval settlement periodInsufficient information

Life history information

  • Mature individuals can be recognised by swollen genital papillae at the base of the arms. Eggs escape through splits which appear in the pinnule walls, and adhere in groups to the external wall of the pinnule where fertilization takes place. The embryos are held on the pinnules in a mucous net during which time the female holds its arms close together in what has been described as brooding behaviour, allowing spawned females to be readily identified. Embryos remain attached in groups of up to 20 for four or five days (Chadwick, 1907 cited in Nichols, 1991). The embryos hatch as free-swimming larvae which, after a short pelagic phase, attach to the substratum and develop a short stalk. At this stage they are known as pentacrinoid larvae. The pentacrinoids eventually detach and by this stage the small, prehensile cirri have developed on the undersurface of the disc.
  • The season of spawning for Antedon bifida is universally stated as May to July. However, Nichols (1991) observed that mature oocytes and active sperm were present in every month of the year although a spawned out condition is seen in samples every so often. Therefore, although shed embryos have only been seen in the period May to July, it is possible that, like the congeneric Antedon mediterranea, Antedon bifida reproduces all year. Other evidence leads Nichols (1991) to suggest that Antedon bifida may have two shedding strategies, also shedding directly into the seawater as in the case of the congeneric Antedon petasus.
  • In later work Nichols (1994) suggests that the maintenance of gonads at a high level of maturity throughout the year is a life-history trait developed to tolerate the predation of expendable and easily-regenerated gonads.
  • Brooding female comatulids are almost insensitive to mechanical stimuli (Lahaye & Jangoux, 1984).

Sensitivity reviewHow is sensitivity assessed?

Physical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
High High Moderate Moderate
Although Antedon bifida is free living and can swim and crawl short distances the species will be lost along with substratum removal so intolerance is assessed as high. See additional information for recovery.
High High Moderate Low
Smothering by 5 cm of sediment is likely to result in the death of feather-stars. Although the tops of arms can probably extend above the sediment most of the feeding and respiratory structures will become clogged. Animals are also unlikely to be able to move above the sediment as they require a hard substratum for attachment. Intolerance is therefore reported to be high. If sediment were then removed recolonization could take place and recovery should be possible within five years - see additional information.
Low Immediate Not sensitive Moderate
Antedon bifida is often found in turbid areas where strong water currents deliver particles for suspension feeding. Therefore, the species can probably tolerate an increase in suspended sediment at the benchmark level although cleaning costs may increase. Intolerance is recorded as low. On return to normal conditions recovery will be immediate.
Low Very high Very Low Moderate
A supply of suspended particles is required for feeding as Antedon bifida is a suspension feeder so a decrease may reduce food supplies. Therefore, a decrease in suspended sediment may impair growth rates. However, the benchmark reduction is for a month only so the impact will be minimal and intolerance is assessed as low. On return to normal suspended particle levels growth will soon return to normal.
High High Moderate Low
The species is subtidal, only occurring very rarely at extreme low water springs, so is likely to be intolerant of desiccation. Therefore, an intolerance of high is reported. See additional information for recovery.
High High Moderate Moderate
The species is subtidal, although some populations are found at very low water springs, so an increase in emergence is likely to result in desiccation to which the species is highly intolerant. Therefore, an intolerance of high is reported. For recovery see additional information.
Tolerant High Not sensitive Moderate
The species is subtidal and so is tolerant to a decrease in emergence. However, there are some individuals found at very low water springs so a decrease in emergence will enable them to move up the shore. However, the overall intolerance of the species is reported to be tolerant.
High High Moderate Moderate
The species occurs in areas where there is fast current flow suitable for passive suspension feeding. In a series of unpublished experiments by Mr M. Hannan (cited in Hiscock, 1983) Antedon bifida was able to maintain its grip on a concrete substratum in currents up to 90cm/s in a flume. Thus, the claw-like cirri enable the species to survive in moderately strong currents and dense populations are found in areas where water flow is likely to be between 1 and 3 knots during maximal tidal flow. However, if water currents increased to very strong (>6 knots) from moderately strong for a period of a year it is likely that populations would not survive. La Touche (1978) observed that Antedon bifida was unable to maintain its arms in a vertical feeding position in all but the weakest of currents. However, the extremely flexible and opportunistic nature of the species arms and pinnules to adapt in other ways and in several types of water movement. Although dense beds of feather-stars are likely to buffer water currents to some degree feeding is likely to be difficult and many individuals are likely to be washed away. Intolerance is therefore recorded as high. For recovery see additional information.
High High Moderate Moderate
The species occurs in areas where there is fast current flow suitable for passive suspension feeding so a decrease in water flow is likely to reduce food supplies. Thus, growth and fecundity will be impaired and over the period of the year individuals are likely to die or move away to higher flow areas. Thus, intolerance of the species is considered to be high. For recovery see additional information.
Intermediate High Low Very low
The species is distributed from Scotland to Portugal so is probably able to tolerate a long term increase in temperature of 2°C. However, as a subtidal species Antedon bifida is less likely to be able to tolerate a short term increase in temperature of 5°C. Intolerance is set to intermediate. For recovery see additional information.
No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information.
Low Very high Very Low Moderate
Antedon bifida is not sensitive directly to increases in turbidity because light attenuation does not impact upon suspension feeding. However, an increase in turbidity, reducing light availability may reduce primary production by phytoplankton in the water column and thus influence food availability. However, particulate food supplies are also likely to be derived from distant sources so the impact of a change for a period of a year is not likely to be significant, maybe a reduction in growth and fecundity, and an intolerance of low is reported. Recovery is likely to be very high as photosynthetic levels and local phytoplankton production will rapidly return to normal.
Tolerant* Very high Not sensitive* Moderate
Antedon bifida is not sensitive directly to decreases in turbidity because light attenuation does not impact upon suspension feeding. However, a decrease in turbidity, improving light availability may improve primary production by phytoplankton in the water column and thus increase food availability. Food supplies are also likely to be derived from distant sources so the impact of a change for a period of a year is not likely to be significant, maybe a slight increase in growth and fecundity, and so an intolerance of low is reported. Recovery is likely to be very high as photosynthetic levels and local phytoplankton production will rapidly return to normal.
High High Moderate Low
Antedon bifida is not found in areas subject to wave exposure and so is likely to be intolerant. If subjected to wave exposure, the species will probably be unable to feed and may be damaged by wave action. Populations are unlikely to survive such a increase for a period of a year so intolerance is reported to be high. On return to normal conditions recovery should be possible within five years - see additional information.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Low
Antedon bifida is found in areas of extremely low wave exposure such as Scottish sea lochs so is likely to tolerate a decrease.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Not relevant
Antedon bifida may respond to vibrations by curling up their arms, maybe to avoid predation for example. However, the species is unlikely to sensitive to noise and so the biotope is assessed as tolerant.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Not relevant
Some response to visual disturbance has been detected in echinoderms. There is some evidence that the basiepithelial nerve plexus below the entire outer skins is sensitive to light (D. Nichols pers. comm.). However, movement of boats etc. in the marine environment is not likely to affect the species so a rank of not sensitive is reported.
High High Moderate Low
Antedon bifida is likely to be intolerant of abrasion as individuals would probably be killed or damaged by a force equivalent to a scallop dredge dragged across them. The species can regenerate body parts even when most arms and part of the disc have been lost so most damaged individuals are likely to recover. For recovery see additional information below.
Low Immediate Not sensitive Moderate
If moved to another suitable substratum Antedon bifida is able to attach itself by means of the cirri which grasp the substratum. Therefore, intolerance to displacement is low. If inverted the species is able to right itself very rapidly so recovery is recorded as immediate.

Chemical pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
High High Moderate Low
Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) have been shown to result in growth and regenerative abnormalities in the feather-star Antedon mediterranea (Carnevali et al., 2001). Therefore, it seems likely that the congeneric Antedon bifida would also be intolerant of PCBs. However, no reports of the death of individuals was found. Hoare & Hiscock (1974) reported that Antedon bifida appeared to be completely intolerant of conditions within the vicinity of an acidified, halogenated effluent discharge. Intolerance is therefore reported to be high. See additional information for recovery.
Heavy metal contamination
Intermediate High Low Very low
Information about the effects of heavy metals on echinoderms is limited and no details specific to Antedon bifida were found. However, Bryan (1984) reports that early work has shown that echinoderm larvae are intolerant of heavy metals, e.g. the intolerance of larvae of Paracentrotus lividus to copper (Cu) had been used to develop a water quality assessment. Kinne (1984) reported developmental disturbances in Echinus esculentus exposed to waters containing 25 µg / l of copper (Cu). Therefore, it is likely that adult Antedon bifida is intolerant of heavy metal contamination and so intolerance is assessed as intermediate. See additional information for recovery.
Hydrocarbon contamination
High High Moderate Low
Although there is no information available on the effect of hydrocarbons on Antedon bifida although echinoderms in general appear to be highly intolerant. For example, long term chronic pollution is thought to be responsible for reduced abundance of Asterias rubens (Bokn et al., 1993) and Echinocardium cordatum (Daan & Mulder, 1996). Crude oil from the Torrey Canyon in 1967 off Land's End of Cornwall, and the detergent used to disperse it caused mass mortalities of echinoderms; Asterias rubens, Echinocardium cordatum, Psammechinus miliaris, Echinus esculentus, Marthasterias glacialis and Acrocnida brachiata (Smith, 1968). Therefore, an intolerance of high is reported. See additional information for recovery.
Radionuclide contamination
No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information.
Changes in nutrient levels
No information No information No information Not relevant
Insufficient
information.
High High Moderate Very low
Echinoderms are considered to be stenohaline animals that lack the ability to osmo- and ion-regulate (Stickle & Diehl, 1987). The inability of echinoderms to osmoregulate extracellularly causes body fluid volume to decrease when individuals are transferred to higher external salinity. Over the period of a year, populations are unlikely to survive increased salinity. Echinoderm larvae have a narrow range of salinity tolerance and will develop abnormally and die if exposed to increased salinity. The species is therefore likely to be intolerant of an increase in salinity for a period of a year and an intolerance of high is reported. See additional information for recovery.
High High Moderate
Echinoderms are considered to be stenohaline animals that lack the ability to osmo- and ion-regulate (Stickle & Diehl, 1987). The inability of echinoderms to osmoregulate extracellularly causes body fluid volume to increase when individuals are transferred to lower external salinity probably resulting in the death of animals. Echinoderm larvae have a narrow range of salinity tolerance and will develop abnormally and die if exposed to reduced salinity. The species is therefore likely to be intolerant of a decrease in salinity for a period of a year and an intolerance of high is reported. See additional information for recovery.
Intermediate High Low Very low
Antedon bifida is an aerobic organism and oxygen uptake is by the tube feet and across the body wall. It is typically found in areas of fast tidal flow where water will be oxygenated. Although there is no evidence regarding the effect of low oxygen conditions on Antedon bifida, Cole et al. (1999) suggest possible adverse effects on marine species below 4 mg/l and probable adverse effects below 2 mg/l. Therefore, an intolerance of intermediate has been reported.

Biological pressures

 IntoleranceRecoverabilitySensitivityEvidence/Confidence
Low High Low Low
Like most echinoderms Antedon bifida is host to symbiotic organisms. The annelid myzostome Myzostoma cirriferum is an obligate associate of echinoderms and live mainly with crinoids including Antedon bifida (Eeckhaut & Jangoux, 1997). Infestation levels seem to vary between sites (Leonard & Jeal, 1984). Although no diseases associated with these organisms have been reported echinoderms in other parts of the world have been severely affected by epidemic type diseases so there is the potential for this to occur.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Moderate
No known non-native species compete with or prey upon Antedon bifida and so the species is assessed as not sensitive. However, as several species have become established in British waters there may be future introductions that compete or prey upon species in the biotope.
Intermediate High Low Moderate
Extraction of Antedon bifida is unlikely because it has no commercial value and often occurs in areas where no other commercial species exist and where dredging would be difficult such as on rocky reefs. However, if 50% of the population were removed recovery should be high. See additional information.
Tolerant Not relevant Not sensitive Not relevant
Antedon bifida has no known obligate relationships so is not sensitive to the removal of any other species.

Additional information

Recovery
No information is available on recovery of the species. However, judging from life-history traits Antedon bifida should be able to recover within five years. The species reaches sexual maturity within the first or second year and is iteroparous, spawning for 2-3 months every year. Eggs are brooded on the arms of the feather-star and pelagic larvae are then released into the water column. However, the pelagic phase is fairly short so dispersal distances may not be great and recruitment may rely on relatively local populations. Therefore, if populations are completely removed by a factor recovery may take longer than five years.

Importance review

Policy/legislation

- no data -

Status

Non-native

Importance information

-none-

Bibliography

  1. Bokn, T.L., Moy, F.E. & Murray, S.N., 1993. Long-term effects of the water-accommodated fraction (WAF) of diesel oil on rocky shore populations maintained in experimental mesocosms. Botanica Marina, 36, 313-319.

  2. Bryan, G.W., 1984. Pollution due to heavy metals and their compounds. In Marine Ecology: A Comprehensive, Integrated Treatise on Life in the Oceans and Coastal Waters, vol. 5. Ocean Management, part 3, (ed. O. Kinne), pp.1289-1431. New York: John Wiley & Sons.

  3. Carnevali, M.D.C., Galassi, S., Bonasoro, F., Patruno, M. & Thorndyke, M.C., 2001. Regenerative response and endocrine disrupters in crinoid echinoderms: arm regeneration in Antedon mediterranea after experimental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls. Journal of Experimental Biology, 204 (5), 835-842.

  4. Daan, R. & Mulder, M., 1996. On the short-term and long-term impact of drilling activities in the Dutch sector of the North Sea ICES Journal of Marine Science, 53, 1036-1044.

  5. Eeckhaut, I. & Jangoux, M., 1997. Infestation, population dynamics, growth and reproductive cycle of Myzostoma cirriferum (Myzostomida), an obligate symbiont of the comatulid crinoid Antedon bifida (Crinoidea, Echinodermata). Cahiers de Biologie Marine, 38, 7-18.

  6. Fish, J.D. & Fish, S., 1996. A student's guide to the seashore. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  7. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  8. Hiscock, K., 1983. Water movement. In Sublittoral ecology. The ecology of shallow sublittoral benthos (ed. R. Earll & D.G. Erwin), pp. 58-96. Oxford: Clarendon Press.

  9. Hoare, R. & Hiscock, K., 1974. An ecological survey of the rocky coast adjacent to the effluent of a bromine extraction plant. Estuarine and Coastal Marine Science, 2 (4), 329-348.

  10. Kinne, O. (ed.), 1984. Marine Ecology: A Comprehensive, Integrated Treatise on Life in Oceans and Coastal Waters.Vol. V. Ocean Management Part 3: Pollution and Protection of the Seas - Radioactive Materials, Heavy Metals and Oil. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

  11. La Touche, R.W., 1978. The feeding behaviour and autecology of the shallow-water featherstar Antedon bifida (Pennant). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 58, 877-890.

  12. Lahaye, M. & Jangoux, M., 1984. Post-spawning behaviour and early development of the comatulid crinoid, Antedon bifida. In Proceedings of the Fifth International Echinoderm Conference Galway, 24-29 September, 1984. Echinodermata (ed. B.F. Keegan et al.), pp.181-184. Rotterdam: Balkema.

  13. Leonard, A. & Jeal, F., 1984. Hippolyte huntii (Gosse, 1877), a first record from the east coast of Ireland, with notes on other animals associated with the crinoid Antedon. Irish Naturalists' Journal, 21, 357-358.

  14. Nichols, D., 1991. Seasonal reproductive periodicity in the European comatulid crinoid Antedon bifida (Pennant). Proceedings of the Seventh International Echinoderm Conference, Atami, 9-14 September 1990. In Biology of Echinodermata (ed. T. Yanagisawa, I. Yasumasu, C. Oguro, N. Suzuki & T. Motokawa), pp. 241-248. A.A. Balkema. Rotterdam.

  15. Nichols, D., 1994. Sacrificial gonads: A reproductive strategy for the crinoid Antedon bifida. In Proceedings of the eighth international echinoderm conference, Dijon, France, 6-10 September 1993. Echinoderms through time. (ed. B. David, A. Guille, J.P. Feral & M. Roux), pp. 249-254. Rotterdam: Balkema.

  16. Smith, J.E. (ed.), 1968. 'Torrey Canyon'. Pollution and marine life. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  17. Stickle, W.B. & Diehl, W.J., 1987. Effects of salinity on echinoderms. In Echinoderm Studies, Vol. 2 (ed. M. Jangoux & J.M. Lawrence), pp. 235-285. A.A. Balkema: Rotterdam.

Datasets

  1. Centre for Environmental Data and Recording, 2018. Ulster Museum Marine Surveys of Northern Ireland Coastal Waters. Occurrence dataset https://www.nmni.com/CEDaR/CEDaR-Centre-for-Environmental-Data-and-Recording.aspx accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-09-25.

  2. Cofnod – North Wales Environmental Information Service, 2018. Miscellaneous records held on the Cofnod database. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/hcgqsi accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-09-25.

  3. Fenwick, 2018. Aphotomarine. Occurrence dataset http://www.aphotomarine.com/index.html Accessed via NBNAtlas.org on 2018-10-01

  4. Manx Biological Recording Partnership, 2018. Isle of Man historical wildlife records 1990 to 1994. Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/aru16v accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  5. NBN (National Biodiversity Network) Atlas. Available from: https://www.nbnatlas.org.

  6. OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System),  2023. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2023-03-23

  7. Outer Hebrides Biological Recording, 2018. Invertebrates (except insects), Outer Hebrides. Occurrence dataset: https://doi.org/10.15468/hpavud accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-01.

  8. South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre, 2018. SEWBReC Marine and other Aquatic Invertebrates (South East Wales). Occurrence dataset:https://doi.org/10.15468/zxy1n6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-02.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Hill, J.M. 2008. Antedon bifida Rosy feather star. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 23-03-2023]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1521

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Last Updated: 08/05/2008