Anthenoides cristatus
Indo-Pacific sea star used in dried soup mixes.
Anthenoides cristatus, a sea star belonging to the family Goniasteridae, ranges across the Indo-Pacific from the Gulf of Aden to New Zealand and New Caledonia, inhabiting depths between 134 and 1350 meters. Originally named *Leptogonaster cristatus* by Sladen in 1889, it was later synonymized with *Anthenoides tenuis* because both share short, conical spines on the inferomarginal plates and 4–7 furrow spines. Its body is stellate, with triangular arms and weakly curved interradial arcs. The abactinal surface consists of polygonal plates covered by a dermis and round to irregular granules, particularly near the superomarginal plates, and bears forceps-like pedicellariae. Superomarginal plates are dermis-covered and abut distally about 4–6 plates from the tip. Inferomarginal spines appear mainly on proximal plates. Actinal regions have a dermis with sparse granules. Furrow spines, numbering 4–7, are widely spaced, blunt, and pointed. Subambulacral spines, 2–3 in number, are short—roughly half the height of furrow spines—and accompanied by tong-like pedicellariae, especially proximally. Dried specimens consistent with this species have been found in commercial soup mixes sold by a Chinese company and purchased at a market in San Francisco.
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Anthenoides
- Species
- cristatus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
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.
Reader's Guide
Anthenoides cristatus holds significance as a deep-sea starfish with a broad Indo-Pacific distribution, recorded from the Gulf of Aden to New Zealand and New Caledonia. Its depth range of 134 to 1350 meters indicates a wide bathymetric tolerance. The species is taxonomically notable for the synonymy of Anthenoides tenuis, resolved by shared morphological traits such as short conical spines on inferomarginal plates and a consistent number of furrow spines. Its legacy extends beyond natural history into human use: specimens consistent with this species have been identified as an ingredient in dried Asian commercial soup mixes, with dried specimens purchased from a market in San Francisco sold by a Chinese company. This connection to commercial trade highlights an unexpected intersection between deep-sea biodiversity and global food markets. The species' morphological features, including forceps-like and tong-like pedicellariae, and its stellate body with triangular arms, contribute to its distinctiveness within the family Goniasteridae.
Did You Know?
- It has a depth range of 134 to 1350 meters.
- Dried specimens of this species were sold in a San Francisco market by a Chinese company.
- Furrow spines number 4 to 7 and are blunt with pointed tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anthenoides cristatus?
It is a deep-sea starfish in the Goniasteridae family found throughout the Indo-Pacific. Sladen first described it in 1889 under the name Leptogonaster cristatus, but it was later recognized as a junior synonym of Anthenoides tenuis.
What does Anthenoides cristatus look like?
The body is star-shaped with triangular arms and gently curved arcs between them. The underside is made up of polygonal plates covered by a thin dermis and dotted with small round-to-irregular granules, while the plates themselves bear short, cone-shaped spines.
Where and how deep do you find Anthenoides cristatus?
Its range stretches from the Gulf of Aden across the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Sea, the Marquesas Islands, the South China Sea, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. It is typically encountered at depths between about 134 and 1,350 meters.
Why was Anthenoides cristatus merged with Anthenoides tenuis?
Taxonomists concluded both names point to the same animal because they share identical spine architecture, including short conical spines on the inferomarginal plates and a consistent count of four to seven furrow spines. The 1889 Sladen name therefore became a junior synonym of the 1989 Liao & Clark description.
Is Anthenoides cristatus used by people?
Yes—this deep-water starfish appears in traditional dried soup mixes in parts of its native range. Outside that culinary role, it is mainly of interest to marine biologists cataloging Indo-Pacific echinoderms.
More in Starfish, Part 3 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced