Edwardsiidae
Edwardsiidae is a family of sea anemones in the order Actiniaria. They are commonly known as “burrowing anemones” due to their characteristic behavior of living in burrows. Members of this family are found worldwide in a variety of marine habitats.
Characteristics
Edwardsiidae sea anemones typically exhibit the following characteristics:
- Burrowing lifestyle: They are known for their ability to dig into sediment, creating burrows where they live and feed.
- Short, stout body: They have a relatively short and stout body compared to other sea anemones.
- Contractile basal disc: They possess a contractile basal disc that allows them to anchor themselves securely within their burrows.
- Single siphonoglyph: They typically have only one siphonoglyph, a groove in the pharynx that helps circulate water through the body.
- Absent acontia: Unlike many other sea anemones, Edwardsiidae members lack acontia, stinging threads that can be ejected from the body.
Environments
Edwardsiidae sea anemones are found in a variety of marine environments, including:
- Intertidal zones: They can be found in both the upper and lower intertidal zones, where they are exposed to air and water fluctuations.
- Subtidal zones: They can also be found in deeper subtidal zones, where they live in soft sediments.
- Estuaries: Some species are tolerant of brackish water and can be found in estuaries.
References
For more information on Edwardsiidae, consult the following sources: