ALLOEOCOMATELLA, A NEW GENUS OF REEF-DWELLING FEATHER STAR FROM THE TROPICAL INDO-WEST PACIFIC (ECHINODERMATA, CRINOIDEA, COMASTERIDAE)

Alloeocomatella, a new genus of comasterid feather star from tropical Indo-West Pacific reefs, contains two species: A. polycladia, a new species, and A. pectinifera (A. H. Clark), the latter reassigned from the genus Comissia. Both are cryptic during the day; at night they extend their arms for feeding or emerge completely. Alloeocomatella differs from other genera in the family Comasteridae in its pattern of development of first brachial syzygies, and in the structure of its oral pinnule combs. A. pectinifera has rays up to 500 mm long, the longest recorded for any extant feather star.