Pink-spotted Bead Anemone – Anthopleura buddemeieri

, Pink-spotted Bead Anemone, Anthopleura buddemeieri
Depth: 0 - 4 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 Pink-spotted Bead Anemone, scientifically known as Anthopleura buddemeieri, is a fascinating marine invertebrate belonging to the family Actiniidae. This anemone is known for its vibrant coloration and unique bead-like appearance, making it a captivating sight in its natural habitat.

Description & Characteristics

The Anthopleura buddemeieri is characterized by its distinctive pink or reddish-brown body, often adorned with white or cream-colored spots. The spots resemble beads, giving rise to the common name of the species. The anemone’s body is typically cylindrical in shape and can reach a maximum size of approximately 2 inches in diameter. Its oral disc is surrounded by numerous tentacles, which are used for capturing prey and for defense.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Pink-spotted Bead Anemone is found primarily in the Supralitoral zone, which is the area above the high tide mark. This zone is characterized by its exposure to air and salt spray, making it a challenging environment for most marine organisms. However, Anthopleura buddemeieri has adapted to these conditions and is able to survive periods of desiccation.

This species is commonly found attached to rocks, shells, and other hard substrates in the intertidal zone. They are often found in aggregations, with multiple individuals clustered together.

Taxonomy

The Pink-spotted Bead Anemone is classified under the Phylum Cnidaria, which includes other fascinating marine organisms like jellyfish and corals. Within this phylum, Anthopleura buddemeieri belongs to the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Actiniaria, and Family: Actiniidae. This classification reflects the species’ evolutionary relationship with other anemones and its distinct anatomical characteristics.

Feeding

The Anthopleura buddemeieri is an azooxanthellat, meaning that it does not contain photosynthetic algae within its tissues. As a result, it is nonphotosynthetic and relies entirely on capturing prey for sustenance. Its diet consists primarily of small invertebrates, including zooplankton, which it captures using its stinging tentacles.

Associated Species

Image References

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