Knobbly anemone

knobbly anemone
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Subclass: Hexacorallia
Order: Actiniaria
Family: Actiniidae
Genus: Bunodosoma
Species: B. capensis
Binomial name
Bunodosoma capensis
(Lesson, 1830)

The knobbly anemone, Bunodosoma capensis, is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae.[1]

Description

The knobbly anemone is a medium-sized anemone of up to 10 cm in diameter. It is variably coloured, and may be maroon, orange or purple, or even variegated. Its column is knobbly and the knobs are non-adhesive. The knobs sometimes contrast with the body colour as do the tentacles. It has small round protrusions (spherules) at the base of its tentacles.[2]

Distribution

It is found around the southern African coast from Luderitz to Durban. It inhabits waters from the intertidal to 19 m in depth.

Ecology

The knobbly anemone is usually found on rocky ledges. Sand never sticks to its column, and it is often found attached to mussels or red bait, Pyura stolonifera.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 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
  2. 1 2 Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
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