Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone – Anthopleura michaelseni

, Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone, Anthopleura michaelseni
Depth: 5 - 15 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf

The Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni) is a captivating marine invertebrate known for its striking appearance and fascinating behavior. This anemone, belonging to the family Actiniidae, exhibits a unique combination of characteristics that make it a fascinating subject of study for marine biologists and enthusiasts alike.

Description & Characteristics

The Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni) is easily identifiable by its long, slender tentacles, which can extend to impressive lengths. The tentacles are covered in stinging nematocysts, which serve as a defense mechanism and aid in capturing prey. These anemones typically display a range of vibrant colors, including shades of green, brown, and orange, adding to their visual appeal. The body column is relatively short and stout, and the oral disc, which houses the mouth, is prominent and surrounded by a ring of tentacles.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni) is a common inhabitant of the intertidal zone, specifically the lower intertidal and subtidal regions. It thrives in rocky crevices and on the undersides of rocks, where it finds protection from the harsh conditions of the open ocean. This species is typically found in the subtidal zone, a marine zone that extends from the low tide mark to the edge of the continental shelf. It’s also known to inhabit the infralittoral zone, another marine zone that’s located in the shallow waters of the continental shelf. This anemone’s preference for these specific environments allows it to access the resources it needs for survival.

Taxonomy

The species Anthopleura michaelseni belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Actiniaria, and Family: Actiniidae. This classification places it within the larger group of cnidarians, which also includes corals, jellyfish, and sea anemones.

Feeding

The Crevice Anemone, Long-tentacled Anemone (Anthopleura michaelseni) is a carnivore, relying on its tentacles to capture a variety of prey. Its diet primarily consists of small invertebrates such as barnacles, clams, isopods, and snails. The anemone’s stinging nematocysts paralyze its prey, allowing it to be easily transported to the mouth.

Associated Species

Image References

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