species: Stichodactyla mertensii in taxonomy (Gaia Guide)
Animalia > Radiata > Cnidaria > Anthozoa > Anthozoa > Hexacorallia > Actiniaria > Nyantheae > Thenaria > Stichodactylidae > Stichodactyla > Stichodactyla mertensii (gallery)
Stichodactyla mertensii


©Anne: Stichodactyla mertensii with fish Amphiprion chrysopterus

©Anne: Stichodactyla mertensii with fish Amphiprion chrysopterus. Note the short tentacles with blunt or slightly pointed tips, and the underside of the anemone which is white with orange bumps.

©Anne: Stichodactyla mertensi at Lizard Island

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Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Cnidaria
Class Anthozoa
Order Actiniaria
Family Stichodactylidae
Genus Stichodactyla
Species Stichodactyla mertensii
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Colours

              

Distinguishing features

A large anemone, up to a metre in diameter, that is always open with its tentacles exposed. Its white "column" or body attaches to hard substrate, usually on reef slopes, with red or orange bumps called verrucae. These colours on the underside are distinctive; however, colour of upperside is variable. Tentacles are mostly short (10 to 20 mm) but some in patches may be longer; tentacle tips are blunt or slightly pointed.

Size

  • Size data has not been obtained.

Synonyms

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution: Stichodactyla mertensii

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Not uncommon

Web resources

References

  • Elliott, J.K. and R.N. Mariscal (1996). Ontogenetic and interspecific variation in the protection of anemonefishes from sea anemones. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 208: 52-72. LIRS catalog number 1662.
  • Fautin, D.G. (1984). Competition by anemonefishes for a preferred host actinian, American Zoologist, 24(3): 543. LIRS catalog number 193.
  • Fautin, D.G. (1985). Why do anemonefishes inhabit only some host actinians? "Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress, Tahiti".5, : 373-377(?). LIRS catalog number 189.
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