Antholobidae
Antholobidae is a family of sea anemones in the order Actiniaria. They are commonly known as “burrowing anemones” due to their habit of living buried in sediment. These anemones are found in a variety of marine habitats, including intertidal zones, coral reefs, and deep-sea environments.
Characteristics
Antholobidae have a number of distinguishing characteristics, including:
- A cylindrical body with a single oral disc, often with numerous tentacles
- A muscular foot that enables them to burrow into sediment
- A lack of a pedal disc, unlike many other anemones
- The presence of acontia, thread-like structures that can be extended from the body wall to defend against predators or capture prey
- A wide range of colors, including brown, green, orange, and red.
Environments
Antholobidae are found in a variety of marine environments worldwide. They are particularly common in:
- Intertidal zones, where they are exposed to regular changes in water levels and salinity
- Coral reefs, where they live among the corals and other invertebrates
- Deep-sea environments, where they are found at depths of up to several thousand meters.
References
For further information about Antholobidae, you can consult these reliable sources: