Actiniidae
From Natural History of Southeast Alaska
Family: Actiniidae
Group: Marine Invertebrate, Species
Scientific Name | Common Name | Summary |
---|---|---|
Anthopleura artemisia | Burrowing anemone | This is one of those species with two equally well-deserved names: the moonglow anemone, because of its amazingly pretty white bands on the tentacles, and the burrowing anemone, because it is normally attached to a rock that is buried in the sand. Only the tentacles stick out of the sand, and the anemone can retract itself down whenever necessary. Giant nudibranch (Dendronotus iris) is a predator of this anemone. |
Anthopleura xanthogrammica | Giant green sea anemone | This interesting sea anemone is more often encountered in high-energy areas. It may be a partial hibernator by grabbing rocks it can hold over itself when the photoperiod is so short that its photosynthetic activity isn't enough to make up for the seasonal dearth of food. |
Cribrinopsis albopunctata | White-spotted rose anemone | This is one of the prettiest sea anemones of the region, and while it is not often found, it is almost always recognized by its white speckles on red background. It is generally found at negative tides in high-energy rocky areas. |
Cribrinopsis fernaldi | Crimson Anemone | This beautiful anemone is variable in color, ranging from nearly white to deep pink or orange. One feature that is very consistent is the fine chevron shaped markings on the tentacles. This species is not common in the intertidal zone but may be abundant in the subtidal. Unlike many anemones this specieis is often found on soft mud or sandy areas, attached to isolated rocks, bottles, shells, etc. It hosts several species of shrimps, including Short-scaled eualid (Eualus suckleyi), Lebbeus grandimanus, and Lebbeus acudactylus. |
Epiactis prolifera | proliferating anemone | This is a fairly common intertidal species, which is especially easy to recognize when small individuals are seen sprouting off its sides. This gives it its common name of brooding anemone, which is a generic common name shared with similar species such as Epiactis lisbethae and Epiactis ritteri. |
Urticina grebelnyi | Painted anemone | The painted anemone is a beautiful, variable, often very large anemone that is usually found in the lower intertidal zones in areas with medium to large rocks and plenty of current. Its banded tentacles are a good clue as to the species, and they are present in almost all color variations Urticina coriacea can be very similar, but it is a burrowing anemone, and when the "trunk" is present, it is visibly covered with stubs. |