Taxonomy of Thread Stars - Linumasteroidea

Phylum: Echinodermata - Spiny skinned animals: sea urchins, starfish and their allies

Class: Echinozoa - Sea Cucumbers
Class: Crinoidea - Sea Lilies and Feather Stars
Class: Asterozoa - Sea Stars
Class: Linumasteroideae - Thread Starfish

Family: Linumharpago - Hooked Thread Starfish

Genus: Linumpinnatus
Linumpinnatus funiculus - Feather String Starfish

Genus: Linumasteroida
Linumasteroida purgamentum - Bycatch Starfish

Genus: Linumtexturus
Linumasteroida texturus - Textured Starfish

Genus: Linumfenestra
Linumfenestra linus - Wire Thread Starfish
Linumfenestra funiculus - String Thread Starfish

Thread starfish are generally classified according to the structure of their stitch and their fibre construction.

Thread Stars in Norfolk

Examples of Linumasteroidea found along the north Norfolk coast.


Bycatch star, Linumasteroidea purgamentum
Discovered in January, 2005 at Old Hunstanton



Feather String Star, Linumasteroidea funiculus
Discovered in June, 2007 at Thornham Harbour