Sagartiogeton undatus
| Sagartiogeton undatus | |
|---|---|
| Sagartiogeton undatus in the Netherlands | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Actiniaria |
| Family: | Sagartiidae |
| Genus: | Sagartiogeton |
| Species: | S. undatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sagartiogeton undatus (Müller, 1778)
| |
| Synonyms | |
|
Synonyms
| |
Sagartiogeton undatus, sometimes referred to as the small snakelocks anemone, is a species of sea anemone in the family Sagartiidae.[1] It was first described by the Danish naturalist Otto Friedrich Müller in 1778.[2]
Taxonomy
Sagartiogeton undatus belongs to the order Actiniaria and the family Sagartiidae, a group of burrowing and substrate-attached sea anemones.[3] The species has historically been described under several genera, reflecting changes in classification as understanding of actiniarian relationships has evolved.[3]
Distribution
Sagartiogeton undatus is widely distributed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. It occurs around the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland and throughout western Europe, ranging from Scandinavia southwards to the Mediterranean Sea.[1] It is typically found in shallow coastal waters but may occur at moderate depths.[3]
Habitat
This species inhabits a range of coastal environments, including rocky shores, gravel, and sandy substrates.[1] It is commonly found attached to stones, shells, or partially buried in sediment. It occurs in both intertidal and subtidal zones and tolerates moderate water movement.[1]
Description
Sagartiogeton undatus has a cylindrical column with a base diameter of up to 60 mm and can reach a height of 120 mm or more.[1] The column is often smooth and may be partially buried in sediment.
The oral disc bears numerous slender tentacles arranged in concentric rings. Colouration varies but typically includes shades of brown, grey, or green, often with subtle banding or mottling.[1] Like other sea anemones, it possesses specialized stinging cells (cnidocytes) used for prey capture and defence.
Behaviour and ecology
Sagartiogeton undatus is a sedentary predator that feeds on small invertebrates and planktonic organisms.[1] Prey is captured using the tentacles and transferred to the central mouth.
The species can retract its tentacles and contract its body when disturbed.[1] It may also produce defensive structures known as acontia—thread-like extensions containing nematocysts—used for defence.[1]
Reproduction may occur both sexually, through the release of gametes into the water column, and asexually through processes such as fission or budding, although detailed studies on this species are limited.[1]
References
External links
- "Sagartiogeton undatus". WoRMS. Retrieved 22 December 2016.