Anthenoides cristatus

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Echinodermata · Class: Asteroidea · Order: Valvatida · Family: Goniasteridae · Genus: Anthenoides.

Accepted name: Anthenoides cristatus · Authority: (Sladen, 1889) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 291633.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Antheniaster sarissa Verrill, 1899; Anthenoides sarissa Alcock, 1893; Anthenoides tenuis Liao & A.M. Clark, 1989; Leptogonaster cristatus Sladen, 1889.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291633 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)

Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Anthenoides cristatus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Depth range: 90–511 m · Habitat zone: benthic.

Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 138696) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Anthenoides-cristatus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

115 georeferenced occurrence records for Anthenoides cristatus are published through GBIF from 13 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 48 distinct locations from a sample of 115 records, omitting 7 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Philippines (51); New Caledonia (23); New Zealand (16); Chile (6); Papua New Guinea (5); French Polynesia (3); Réunion (3); Indonesia (2); Solomon Islands (2); Cuba (1); India (1); Madagascar (1); Yemen (1).

Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone; New Zealand Exclusive Economic Zone; Campbell Plateau.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2271403) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2271403&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=291633 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The species was originally described as Leptogonaster cristatus by Sladen in 1889. Anthenoides tenuis Liao & A.M. Clark, 1989 is considered a junior synonym of A. cristatus, as both share short, conical spines on the inferomarginal plates and a range of 4–7 furrow spines.

The species has a stellate body with triangular arms and weakly curved interradial arcs. The abactinal surface is composed of polygonal plates covered by a dermis and round to irregular granules, especially distally adjacent to the superomarginal plates. Abactinal, forceps-like pedicellariae are present. Superomarginal plates are covered by dermis and are abutted distally approximately 4 to 6 plates from the terminus. Inferomarginal spines are present, especially on proximal plates. The actinal regions are covered by dermis with sparse granules. Furrow spines number 4 to 7, are widely spaced, and are blunt with pointed tips. Subambulacral spines number 2 to 3, are short (approximately half the height of the furrow spines), and are accompanied by tong-like pedicellariae, especially proximally.

Specimens consistent with this species have been identified as an ingredient in dried Asian commercial soup mixes. Dried specimens were purchased from a market in San Francisco (California), sold by a Chinese company.

This species has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution, recorded from the Gulf of Aden, Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Sea, Marquesas Islands, South China Sea, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. Depth range is 134 to 1350 meters. In New Caledonia, it is found at 289–510 meters.

Source: Wikipedia: Anthenoides cristatus — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthenoides_cristatus (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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