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Classification
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Latin name : |
Actinothoe sphyrodeta (anguicoma) (Gosse, 1858) |
Synonyms : |
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Classification : |
Actiniaria ( Anemones ) |
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Name : |
Anémone margueritte
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Name : |
Daisy-anemone
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Identification
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Main identification characters |
Actinothoe sphyrodeta is a soft, delicate, small anemone. The column is usually short with the base being wider than the column, but the column can also form a tall, neat pillar. The tentacles are translucent white, stout at the base, tapering to fine points, and are irregularly arranged numbering up to 120. The diameter of the base can reach 2 cm, whilst the span of the tentacles may reach up to 3 cm across the disc. Shore specimens may only be half this size. The disc may be either a patchy white or bright yellow/pale orange in colour and usually has vague dark markings surrounding the tentacle bases. The column is smooth and an uneven translucent, dirty white or greyish colour with longitudinal patches of pure white tending to form stripes (giving the common name). Dark dots (cinclides) occur on the upper part of the column. |
Possible confusions |
May be confused with Sagartia elegans but Actinothoe sphyrodeta lacks the adhesive spots (suckers) on the column present on Sagartia elegans. The suckers should not be confused with the cinclides. |
Biology
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Feed |
Feel free to update this datasheet and complete this data. |
Cycle of life / Reproduction |
Sexual and asexual reproduction; hudreds to thouthands babies. |
Interaction with other species |
Predators : Sea slug (Aeolidia papillosa) and the blenny (Parablennius gattorugine). |
Distribution
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Habitat |
Rocks |
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Occurs on rocks or other hard substrata, usually on flat surfaces rather than in holes or crevices. Also occurs on various algae such as Laminaria or Himanthalia buttons, and is frequently found in the company of algae, Caryophyllia smithii and the sea anemone Corynactis viridis. Occasionally occurs on the shore in shaded situations but is more commonly found sublittorally down to a depth of about 40 m. |
Geographical distribution |
South and west coasts of Britain to west Scotland. West and north France. Locally common, often in large aggregations. |
Links
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Websites : |
http://www.itsligo.ie/biomar/anthozoa/ACTSPH.HTM
http://www.leomare.org/bio/Photos/cnidaires/pages/actinothoesphyrodeta [...]
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/index2.htm?demo/Actsph.htm
http://www.mer-littoral.org/05/actinothoe-sphyrodeta.php
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Bibliography
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N/A |
Data sheet written by Christophe Naslain , 13/03/2003
Updates :
Christophe Naslain - 13/03/2003
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