Description: This feather star has ten thin pinnate arms with side-branches like a feather. There are about 25 short cirri arising around the central plate on the underside of the disc which curl under to anchor the animal to the substratum. The cirri are banded and the arms usually pink or red with white pinnules. The arm segments or brachials are thickened at their outer edges giving a ridged lower profile to the arm. Arms typically 5cm in length.

Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats both sheltered and moderately exposed, attached to rocks, algae, and sedentary animals. Antedon bifida often occurs in large numbers and may dominate areas of rock in suitable habitats.

Distribution: Found on western and north-eastern coasts of the British Isles.

Similar Species: Antedon petasus is very similar but larger than this species.

Key Identification Features:

• Ten feather-like untidy-looking arms, mottled in colour.
• 25 short banded cirri of c. 15 joints.
• Lower side of arm and pinnule joints with prominent cross ridges.

Distribution Map from NBN: Antedon bifida at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Antedon bifida at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Antedon bifida at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Antedon bifida (Pennant, 1777). AphiaID: 124201.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Echinodermata; Crinozoa; Crinoidea; Articulata; Comatulida; Antedonoidea; Antedonidae; Antedoninae; Antedon