The feeding behaviour of the featherstar Antedon bifida (Echinodermata: Crinoidea)

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Abstract
The ecology and feeding behaviour of Antedon bifida bifida (Pennant) were studied in situ at five sites on the east and west coasts of Ireland. These encompassed a range of different habitats and hydrographic conditions, including currents of varying intensity, oscillations due to wave action, and multidirectional water movements.Unlike other comatulids hitherto studied, this species was found to be relatively unspecialized in its choice of habitat and to display great flexibility of movement in its arms and pinnules which enable it to adapt to and feed in each of the different types of water movements described. Neither diurnal nor tidal feeding rhythms were observed, the animals being found to feed almost continuously. The relatively unspecialized nature of this species is discussed in relation to the almost cosmopolitan distribution of the genus Antedon.