Anthothoe chilensis explained

Anthothoe chilensis, or striped anemone, is a species of sea anemones in the family Sagartiidae.[1]

Description

Anthothoe chilensis is a small anemone of around 2 cm in diameter. It is vertically striped in pink, green or browns, though it may also be pale in colour.[2]

Distribution

This species is found off Chile, Brazil and Argentina in South America, around St. Helena and off the southern African coast from Luderitz to Richards Bay. It inhabits waters from the intertidal zone to 28m in depth.

Ecology

Anthothoe chilensis shoots sticky defensive threads (acontia) through pores in its body wall when threatened. It has symbiotic bacteria living within its body which supplement its food supply by photosynthesis. Preyed upon by the nudibranch Anteaeolidiella cacaotica (recorded as syn. Anteaeolidiella foulisi).

Notes and References

  1. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa
  2. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008.