Anthothoe chilensis
Anthothoe chilensis, or striped anemone, is a species of sea anemones in the family Sagartiidae.[1][2]
Anthothoe chilensis | |
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Striped anemone (Anthothoe chilensis) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Cnidaria |
Class: | Hexacorallia |
Order: | Actiniaria |
Family: | Sagartiidae |
Genus: | Anthothoe |
Species: | A. chilensis |
Binomial name | |
Anthothoe chilensis (Lesson, 1830) | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Description
Anthothoe chilensis is a small anemone of around 2 cm in diameter. It is vertically striped in pink, green or browns, though it may also be pale in colour.[3]
Distribution
This species is found off Chile, Brazil and Argentina in South America, around St. Helena and off the southern African coast from Luderitz to Richards Bay. It inhabits waters from the intertidal zone to 28m in depth.
Ecology
Anthothoe chilensis shoots sticky defensive threads (acontia) through pores in its body wall when threatened. It has symbiotic bacteria living within its body which supplement its food supply by photosynthesis. Preyed upon by the nudibranch Anteaeolidiella cacaotica (recorded as syn. Anteaeolidiella foulisi).[3]
References
- "Anthothoe chilensis (Lesson, 1830)". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
- Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
- Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9