Sea-Fan Anemone – Amphianthus dohrnii

, Sea-Fan Anemone, Amphianthus dohrnii
Depth: 10 - 1000 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, 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, 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 States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Aegan Sea, 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 Sea-Fan Anemone, scientifically known as Amphianthus dohrnii, is a captivating and unique species of sea anemone found in marine environments. Belonging to the family Amphianthidae, these invertebrates are characterized by their intricate and delicate structure, resembling the branches of a fan. Let’s delve deeper into the fascinating world of Amphianthus dohrnii.

Description & Characteristics

Amphianthus dohrnii exhibits a distinctive morphology, with its body resembling a slender, elongated stalk topped by a cluster of tentacles. These tentacles are typically arranged in multiple rows, creating a striking, fan-like appearance. They possess a remarkable ability to extend and retract their tentacles, which play a crucial role in their feeding and defense mechanisms.

Habitat and Occurrence

Amphianthus dohrnii is a common inhabitant of deeper waters, thriving in the mesophotic zone. They often attach themselves to hard substrates, such as rocks or coral reefs, in areas where strong currents prevail. The Sea-Fan Anemone is particularly well-suited for these environments, using its fan-like structure to effectively capture food particles carried by the currents.

The geographic distribution of Amphianthus dohrnii spans the Atlantic Ocean, with notable occurrences in the Mediterranean Sea, the eastern coast of the North Atlantic, and the Caribbean Sea. This wide distribution highlights their adaptability to various oceanic conditions.

Taxonomy

Amphianthus dohrnii is classified within the Class: Hexacorallia, Order: Actiniaria, and Family: Amphianthidae. This taxonomic framework reflects the evolutionary relationships and shared characteristics among various species of sea anemones.

Feeding

Amphianthus dohrnii is an azooxanthellat, meaning it does not have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae. As a result, it relies entirely on capturing prey for sustenance. This nonphotosynthetic sea anemone feeds primarily on small invertebrates and zooplankton, which it catches with its tentacles. The Sea-Fan Anemone is a highly efficient predator, using its extended tentacles to filter the water column for food, highlighting its unique adaptations for survival.

Associated Species

Image References

Leave a Comment