Urticina piscivora
| Urticina piscivora | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Urticina piscivora at the Vancouver Aquarium | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Class: | Anthozoa |
| Subclass: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Actiniaria |
| Family: | Actiniidae |
| Genus: | Urticina |
| Species: | U. piscivora |
| Binomial name | |
| Urticina piscivora (Sebens & Laakso, 1978)[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Tealia piscivora | |
Urticina piscivora, common names fish-eating anemone and fish-eating urticina,[2] is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae.[1]
Description
Urticina piscivora is a large anemone, growing to a maximum height of around 20 cm (8 in) and 10 cm (4 in) in diameter. The column is bright red in colour. The acontia is absent, but it has tubercles. These are not white and are arranged in circumferential rows. Normally they do not accumulate debris such as shells and sand.[2]
This species may be confused with Urticina crassicornis. Although they may both have a red column, the tentacles of U. crassicornis normally have transverse bands, and olive green blotches are commonly found on the column.[2]
Distribution
This species occurs from Alaska in the north, down to La Jolla, California in the south.[2]
Habitat
Urticina piscivora is almost always found in the subtidal zone. It attaches itself to rocky prominences in locations with a substantial current flowing past.[2]
Diet and behaviour
As its name suggests, this species is capable of capturing and consuming small fishes and shrimp. However, Oxylebius pictus (the painted greenling) and Lebbeus grandimanus (candy stripe shrimp) have the ability to remain among the tentacles without being harmed.[2][3]
References
- 1 2 Fautin, D. (2014). "Urticina piscivora (Sebens & Laakso, 1978)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Cowles, Dave (2005). "Urticina piscivora (Sebens and Laakso, 1977)". Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
- ↑ Cowles, Dave (2006). "Lebbeus grandimanus (Brazhnikov, 1907)". Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
External links
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