Anthopleura xanthogrammica, or the giant green anemone, is a species of intertidal sea anemone of the family Actiniidae.
| Anthopleura xanthogrammica | |
|---|---|
| |
| Anthopleura xanthogrammica | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Actiniaria |
| Family: | Actiniidae |
| Genus: | Anthopleura |
| Species: | A. xanthogrammica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anthopleura xanthogrammica | |
Other common names for this anemone include green surf anemone, giant green sea anemone, green anemone, giant tidepool anemone, anemone, and rough anemone.[2]
Description
editThe column width and height can reach a maximum of 17.5[3] and 30 cm, respectively.[4] The crown of tentacles can be as wide as 25 cm in diameter,[4] while the column, itself, tends to be widest at the base in order to offer a more stable connection to the rocks.[5]
It has a broad, flat oral disk surface[6] and no striping, banding, or other markings.[5]
Coloration
editIf A. xanthogrammica is exposed to proper amounts of sunlight, it can appear bright green[5] when submerged under water.
When not submerged, it appears dark green or brown. This is because the anemone tends to close up and "droop" and its now exposed column is actually dark green and slightly brown, but the hidden tentacles and oral disk are bright green.[3]
Tentacles
editThe tentacles, which are short and conical,[3] are arranged in six or more rows surrounding the oral disk[4][7] and can be pointed or blunt at the tips.[5]
Distribution
editGenerally, A. xanthogrammica is found along the low to mid intertidal zones of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to southern California and sometimes downwards to Panama, where cold water swells can occur.[4][5][7][8]
Habitat
editA. xanthogrammica prefers to inhabit sandy or rocky shorelines, where water remains for most of the day.[4] They can generally be found in tide pools up to 15 m deep.[3] Occasionally A. xanthogrammica can also be found in deep channels of more exposed rocky shores and concrete pilings in bays and harbors.[5]
Biology and natural history
editPhotosynthetic algae, zoochlorellae, and the dinoflagellates, zooxanthellae, live in the epidermis and tissue of the gut of A. xanthogrammica. In this symbiotic relationship, the zoochlorellae and zooxanthellae provide nutrients to the anemone via photosynthesis and contribute to the bright green color of the anemone's oral disk and tentacles.[4][7] The bright green color is also due to pigmentation.[5]
Anthopleura xanthogrammica anemones living in caves and shady zones have reduced or no natural symbionts and tend to be less colorful.[3][4][5][7]
Behavior
editThese anemones tend to live a solitary life, but can be occasionally seen as groups with no less than 14 individuals per square meter.[4][5][7] They can move slowly using their basal disks, but usually stay sessile.[4][7] Like other anemones, A. xanthogrammica can use stinging cells located in the tentacles as protection from predators and a mechanism to capture prey.[4][7]
Reproduction
editAnthopleura xanthogrammica reproduce sexually via external fertilization of sperm and eggs in the late fall. Newly formed pelagic, planktotrophic larvae float in the water until dispersing and settling in mussel beds.[3][4][7]
Feeding
editNematocysts found in the tentacles assist A. xanthogrammica to catch and paralyze prey.[3][4][7] After feeding and digestion is complete, the anemone excretes its waste back through the mouth opening.[4][7]
Predators and prey
editMain predators of A. xanthogrammica include: the leather seastar Dermasterias imbricata,[5] the nudibranch Aeolidia papillosa and the snail Epitonium tinctum (both feed on the tentacles), and the snails Opalia chacei and Opalia funiculata and the sea spider Pycnogonum stearnsi (that feed on the column).[4][7]
The anemone feeds on sea urchins, small fish, and crabs, but detached mussels seem to be the main food source.[5][7] There are rare instances where the giant green anemone has consumed seabirds.[9] It is not known whether the birds were alive or dead when engulfed by the anemone.
Similar species
editOccasionally, A. xanthogrammica can be confused with large individuals of A. elegantissima or A. sola, but both of these other anemones have (usually) pink-tipped tentacles and a striped oral disk, unlike A.xanthogrammica.[5]
References
edit
- ^ Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Brandt, 1835) World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2011-11-22.
- ^ Lamb, A; Handy, B (2005). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest. British Columbia: Harbour Publishing. p. 85.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Anthopleura xanthogrammica". Archived from the original on 2017-07-07. Retrieved 2010-05-12.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Ashley, Kevin. "Anthopleura xanthogrammica (giant green anemone)". Animaldiversity.org. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Anthopleura xanthogrammica". 2 June 2010. Archived from the original on 2 June 2010. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
- ^ Kozloff, E. (1973). Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast. Seattle: University of Washington Press. pp. 166–167.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Anthopleura xanthogrammica". Encyclopedia of Life. 2010. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
- ^ Gotshall, D. (2005). Guide to Marine Invertebrates. Shoreline Press, Santa Barbara:30.
- ^ LISA SHEFFIELD GUY; LISA BULLIS HABECKER; GRETEL OXWANG. "GIANT GREEN ANEMONES CONSUME SEABIRD NESTLINGS ON THE OREGON COAST" (PDF). Marineornithology.org. Retrieved 16 March 2022.