Sea Anemones of New Zealand

Perhaps the most common species of sea anemone found around New Zealand, seen as a distinctive red blob on rocks at low tide .
Habitat
It is found relatively high on the seashore, in rock pools, and various cracks and shaded surfaces such as under rock overhangs in the intertidal zone.

Pedal disc

Column
Smooth, deep brown/red column, seen as a red hemispherical blob of jelly at low tide. 30 to 40mm high. May also be a deep black/green colour. A circle of 24 light blue spherules (acrorhagi) around the inner edge of the column, but not normally visible.

Oral disc
Flat deep brown/red disc . 30 to 40mm diameter.

Tentacles
Up to 144 bright red tentacles, about 15mm long.

Distribution
Throughout NZ. less ↑

Probably just a synonym of Oulactis muscosa (Drayton in Dana, 1846)
Synonyms: Tealidium cinctum Stuckey, 1909 as Metridium muscosum


Habitat
Adherent in cleft of rock, making the animal difficult to remove.

Column
The upper part is brownish in colour, the lower part dirty-white. The upper part is covered with verrucæ in vertical rows; small shells, etc, are attached to these verrucæ. The lower part, which is imbedded in a cleft of the rock, is without the verrucæ, and is channelled by fine furrows. The verrucæ act as suckers, by which the animal covers itself with bits of shell and other débris. In full expansion the column bulges outwards, forming a circular swelling just under the bases of the tentacles. Height, 40 mm, diameter, 30mm.

Oral disc
The colour is pale brown, with a ring of green round the mouth, and a broken ring of yellow round the green.

Tentacles
48 mauve-pink tentacles in four cycles about 16mm long. There are white transverse markings on the inner sides.

Distribution
Island Bay.

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Art. XXXVI. - A Review of the New Zealand Actiniaria known to Science, together with a Description of Twelve New Species.
By F.G.A.Stuckey, M.A., Wellington.
Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 41, 1908, p389


Genus Tealidium (Hertwig).

Paractidœ having the tentacles placed in several rows of uniform size in the same row, and having the body-wall covered with fine papillæ. All mesenteries perfect and gonophoric except the directives. (Hertwig's definition modified.)

This genus was erected by Hertwig for the reception of a form found in the “Challenger” material, a form which agreed with Paractis except in the warty character of the body-wall. In Hertwig's species (Tealidium cingulatum) the wall bulges outwards, forming a girdle below the tentacles. This he attributes to the great development of the sphincter. In the species described below the same thing is seen, though I have no direct evidence that it arises from the cause ascribed by Hertwig. Probably this feature may come to be regarded as of generic value.

1. Tealidium cinctum (sp. nov.).

Pedal-disc.—Adherent in cleft of rock, making the animal difficult to remove. The mesoglœa is fibrous, and contains numerous lacunæ.

Column.—The upper part is brownish in colour, the lower part dirty-white. The upper part is covered with verrucæ in vertical rows; small shells, &c., are attached to these verrucæ. The lower part, which is imbedded in a cleft of the rock, is without the verrucæ, and is channelled by fine furrows. The verrucæ act as suckers, by which the animal covers itself with bits of shell and other débris. In full expansion the column bulges outwards, forming a circular swelling just under the bases of the tentacles. The ectoderm is somewhat irregular, and there appear here and there spaces between the cells. The nerve-layer is feebly developed. The mesoglœa is well developed, and contains small lacunæ. It runs into the ectoderm in the form of conical papillæ.

Tentacles.—These are 48 in number, apparently in four cycles. Length, about 16 mm. They are pellucid, with a mauve-pink shade. There are white transverse markings on the inner sides. The ectoderm is of the same irregular character as that of the column, but the intercellular spaces are smaller. The nervous layer is well developed, being several cells deep. There is a fair development of the ectodermal muscles, but the endodermal musculature is weak. The lumen of each tentacle is filled with what appears to be hypertrophied endoderm.

Oral Disc.—The colour is pale brown, with a ring of green round the mouth, and a broken ring of yellow round the green. The histological features resemble those of the tentacles.

Sphincter Muscle.—This is mesoglœal and diffuse, extending through the whole wall of the column. There is, however, a decided thickening under the edge of the disc, and this probably constitutes the true sphincter. Hertwig describes a similar sphincter in Antholoba reticulata.

Mesenteries.—There are 24 pairs, 2 pairs being directives. All reach the stomodæum, and are about equal in development. All are gonophoric except the directives. I have made this a generic feature, since Tealidium cingulatum (Hertwig), the only other known species, has all its mesenteries perfect and gonophoric (? directives). The musculature is well developed. (Plate XXIV, fig. 2.)

Gonads.—Placed much as in Paractis ferax, and form large masses between the mesenteries.

Dimensions.—Height, 40 mm.; diameter, 30 mm.

Distribution.—Of the genus—Antarctic Ocean (Delage and Herouard); also New Zealand. Of the species—Island Bay. less ↑

Common large anemone.
Habitat
Bottom of tidal pool in sand.

Pedal disc
Basal disc wider than column, forming a flange around the base.

Column
Usually fawn or cream, sometimes dull green or light orange. Wider at top, covered with white to grey or green verrucae bumps which adhere to grit and shell fragments. At the base 70 to 90mm diameter, and up to 100mm high but usually buried in sand so only the top is showing.

Warts appear randomly spaced.

Oral disc
About 100mm diameter - wider than column, so creased into a number of lobes. Usually a single colour but might fade towards the outside. May be red, brown, pink, yellow-green, or purple-blue.
At the top margin of the column the verrucae take on a finely branched form which gives the appearance of a white ruff between the tentacles around the outside of the disc (usually white but may vary) . The fronds may have a spherule at their tip.

Tentacles
Short, about 10mm, up to 190 in 4 whorls. May be the same colour as the oral disc, or a contrasting colour or there maybe two colours of tentacles.

Distribution
Endemic, throughout NZ.

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Edited version of Records of the Canterbury Museum, Vol 6, No 1, p117-9, Nov 1951
Article: The Actiniaria of New Zealand - a check-list of recorded and new species, a review of the literature, and a key to the commoner forms Part 1
By G. Parry. :

Genus ISOCRADACTIS (Carlgren, 1924) Actiniidae with well-developed pedal disc. Column cup-like with adhesive verrucae arranged in longitudinal rows, and increasing enormously in number a short distance below the tentacles. Several verrucae, in bunches projecting from a common stalk, here form in each intermesenterial compartment, 'frond'-like formations; these are surmounted by a spherule.

Tentacles numerous, short, conical, hexamerously arranged, the inner a little longer than the outer. Oral disc very wide, folded.

Isocradactis magna (Stuckey, 1909) The basal disc is very well-developed, being a little wider than the column, and forming a flange round the base; it is of thin epithelium and closely applied to the substratum, making it very difficult to remove intact. The column is pillar-shaped, widening towards the distal end. It is covered with numerous hemispherical verrucae, which function as suckers, attaching to themselves all manner of small stones, shells, pieces of weed, etc., so that in contraction, the animal looks like a small pile of stones. These verrucae are arranged in longitudinal rows, but are often so numerous, especially in the upper part of the column, that they appear to have no regular pattern. Towards the basal end, the warts become larger, fewer, and more regularly placed; towards the oral disc they become fused, and are small and closely packed. At the margin they form compound structures, the ' fronds '. Each frond is rather like a tree with branches on one side only, the oral face being straight, the outer branching. Each frond is made up of 30-40 warts if it lies above an exocoel; of 130-140 if it lies above an endocoel. There is no marked difference between these warts and those of the column. They are usually surmounted, at the tip, by a spherule, often white, sometimes coloured. The effect of these fronds is to form a lacy white ruff round the tentacles—it is usually white, but may be variable (see below).

The tentacles are numerous, short, and rather blunt. They are arranged in 4 cycles, but may exceed this, up to 192 tentacles (Carlgren). Their arrangement is hexamerous, and there is little difference in size between the different cycles. They are perforated at their tips, like the verrucae, both compound and simple, and it seems a common reaction, when the animal is stimulated, for contraction to be accompanied by the discharge of fine streams of water from these perforations.

The disc is considerably broader than the column, so that its edge is thrown into deep folds. In expanded specimens the disc is flat, or more often, rather concave, with the tentacles held over it. There is a peristome very slightly above the level of the disc, the two siphonoglyphs being marked by differently coloured tubercles. The sides of the actinopharynx are grooved.

The column is generally light grey, or buff, or occasionally a pale orange, or a dull green. The verrucae are mostly white, but again may be grey, cream, or green. Stuckey reports the column varying from brownish yellow, pinkish yellow, yellowish green, and pale green. I do not think that the range is quite so great, though the North Island specimens may be more brightly coloured. The disc is much more variable. In expansion, the colour appears concentrated at the centre, round the peristome, where it has a velvety texture. The colour fades towards the tentacles, so that further out, the mesenterial insertions show as darker lines, the exo- and endocoels as more translucent areas. Between the bases of the tentacles, the epithelium is almost colourless. There is usually only one colour in this, in contrast to O. muscosa, which has a radiate pattern of red, brown and white. The colour in O. magna may be almost anything, and the most astonishing colours are seen—brown, olive green, yellow green, dark red, cerise, yellow brown, purplish blue—these are only a few of the colours observed. The actinopharynx is white or cream, with a cream tubercle above each siphonoglyph. The tentacles may be the same in colour as the disc; or they may be a contrasting colour; or they may be in two colours. For example, one specimen with a claret coloured disc has olive-green tentacles; another has a cerise disc, inner tentacles orange-brown, the outer ones darker brown.

Size : Height of column 10 cm. or more, width of lower column 7-9 cm., width of disc greater than 10 cm., length of tentacles 1 cm., length of fronds 1 cm.

Stuckey records this animal as being commensal with the common shore crab, Halicarcinus planatus, but I think this must be a mistaken observation. Certainly the two inhabit the same region of the shore—low water, and generally where rocks and sand are mixed—but since I have very commonly found broken pieces of the carapace and legs of this species of crab within the coelenteron of the anemone, it does not seem that the crab is in any way immune to the predatory habits of the anemone. In view of the fact that the actinian is as big and as powerful as the British Tealia felina, which is commonly known to eat and digest quite large fish, it can be reasonably assumed that O. magna can capture Halicarcinus, Collected from Plimmerton (Stuckey), Cape Maria van Diemen (Carlgren), Tauranga; Sumner, Taylor's Mistake, and Menzies Bay, all in Bank's Peninsula (author). less ↑

A large common anemone, also known as the "sand anemone". Its colours often serve to camouflage it, but close up it can be seen as a rainbow of colours. It feeds on mussels that have been dislodged from their rocks by waves.
Habitat
Rocky shore often nestles in crevices.

Column
Appears to be short and squat, but its column is usually hidden in a crevice, 45mm high. Column brown, orange or greenish brown with lines of white or cream verrucae adhesive pads running up the column, more numerous towards the top. The column is often hidden by the fragments of shell and grit sticking to the verrucae.

Oral disc
The oral disc colour is often primarily red or brown with a complex, 12 way symmetrical, radiating pattern of rings and zig-zags of colour, 40mm diameter. In the South Island it is tends to be larger, often with a red oral disc.

Tentacles
Tentacles towards the centre are brown with mottled white spots, tentacles on the outer edges are mauve/pink. The mottled spots give it a banded appearance. 96 short, 10-15mm long, tentacles in 4 whorls - 12+12+24+48.
Otago card says: tentacles inner green with pale patches, outer deep gray with pink patches, or almost unbarred
24 bright pink or orange spherules encircle the crown.

Distribution
Found throughout NZ.

Reproduction
Can split in half or produce off-spring sexually.

Australian descriptions tend to be a bit different, no mention of pink outer tentacles. Tentacles described as grouped into three rows,transparent to pale brown or pale greenish to greyish-white, marked with horizontal black bands.
Otago card says: "Distinctive features: Tentacles 1/2 - 1/3 width of oral disc. Marginal spherules (pink or orange). Verrucae (suckers on column) in longitudinal rows."

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Edited version of Records of the Canterbury Museum, Vol 6, No 1, p102-3, Nov 1951
Article: The Actiniaria of New Zealand - a check-list of recorded and new species, a review of the literature, and a key to the commoner forms Part 1
By G. Parry. :

Genus OULACTIS Milne-Edwards and Haime,, 1851. Actiniidae with well-developed pedal disc. Column smooth in its lowest part, otherwise provided with longitudinal rows of verrucae which, below the margin are small and very close set on small lobes of the column, forming frond-like formations. Fosse distinct. Marginal spherules present.
Tentacles rather short, hexamerously arranged.

Oulactis muscosa (Drayton, 1846)
The base is firmly adherent in rock crevices, so that it is difficult to remove the animal without damage. Column is straight, covered with numerous verrucae in longitudinal rows. These verrucae become more numerous towards the upper part of the column, where the last few of each row (about 12) are carried on a ridge. Their colour is white or cream, the column between them being brown, orange, or a green-brown. There is a circle of bright pink or orange marginal spherules, usually 24.

The tentacles are in 4 cycles, 12, 12, 24, 48. The inner two cycles are mottled brown, the outer a rosy, transparent pink. They all bear on their oral faces a line of brown, with lenticular white patches running across the tentacles, giving it the appearance of being barred with white. The outer sides of the inner, brown, tentacles have a similar brown streak, flanked by white. The tentacles are all rather short and arranged near the outer edge of the disc. They do not differ in size, all being about half or one-third width of the disc.

When the disc is expanded it is held flat, though it may be saucer-shaped, with the inner cycle of tentacles held over it. Its colour is very variable, and may be all one colour, or more commonly, has a complex radiating pattern. Usually its ground colour is within the range of red to brown. There is a slight peristome, usually darker in colour, with white tubercles at the siphonoglyphs. The ground colour of the disc is generally broken up by radial lines and rings of colour. First there is a series of radial brown markings along the mesenterial insertions, from the peristome to the bases of the tentacles. Just beyond the peristome there is a zig-zag ring of darker colour. At the bases of the tentacles the colour usually changes to brown, broken by a V-shaped patch of white at the base of the inner cycle of 12 tentacles. There are similar patches at the bases of the second cycle of 12, but further out, and these patches are all linked with white markings to form a complex ring of white round the tentacles. The outer cycles of tentacles have a ring of white running round the base of each tentacle. The marginal spherules are armed with atrichs; the tentacles with spirocysts, basitrichs and microbasic p-mastigophors.

Size of a large specimen is height, 4.5 cm.; width of disc, 4 cm.; length of tentacles, 1-1.5 cm.

Distributed throughout New Zealand. Rocky shores and reefs, in rock crevices or pools just above low tide level. less ↑

Common
Habitat
Favours the gravelly cracks between large boulders, also found in pools, under rocks, or buried in sand.

Pedal disc
Well developed and broader than the column. May have patches of yellow or green around basal flange.

Column
Smooth, 40mm high, 35mm diameter. May have ridges with yellow spots running up the column. Commonly green, but may vary from tan or pale yellow to olive or emerald green.

Oral disc
Translucent green, mouth pink or pinkish green (or Morton says lighter coloured than tentacles and implies it is the same hue, brown or green, as them. Mouth pinkish brown).

Tentacles
Numerous, up to 30mm long, vary from brown to green.

Distribution
Endemic, throughout NZ. less ↑

Most anemones can move, but this one is very mobile crawling or drifting to new locations. Tends to be active at night, and rolled up into a ball during the day.
Habitat
Among seaweeds and sub tidal reefs.

Pedal disc
Well developed, orange with a wavy margin.

Column
Comes in many different colours from blue/grey to yellowish, browny orange, brown, mauve, dark purple/blue. Up to about 200mm long.

Oral disc
Flat, pale yellow up to 100mm diameter.

Tentacles
Numerous tentacles up to 25mm, arranged in 6 whorls. Pale yellow, fawn, or orange.

Distribution
Through out NZ.

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Edited version of Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 41, 1908, p374
Art. XXXVI.—A Review of the New Zealand Actiniaria known to Science, together with a Description of Twelve New Species.
By F. G. A. Stuckey, M.A., Wellington :

Pedal-disc.—Lobed, wider than the column. Only slightly adherent, the animal being able to “crawl” about on it, and to become free and float away at will. The colour of the pedal-disc is yellowish-orange.

Column.—Cylindrical in form, and covered with large blisterlike vesicles, which in the contracted state of the animal lie in contact, but in expansion are separate. Their longitudinal arrangement is not evident, except when the animal is expanded. They appear to assist in the flotation of the animal. The colour of the column is dark velvety brown.

Tentacles.—Very numerous and crowded, in about six cycles. They are simple, and conical in shape. Their colour is pale yellow.

Oral Disc.—The disc is flat, with the mouth on a large mound-shaped peristome. The colour of the disc is light yellow, that of the peristome very dark brown or black. The mouth bears two bright-yellow tubercles.

Habits.—This anemone frequents quiet pools among the rocks, but is sometimes seen floating at the surface, oral disc downwards. Rather uncommon.

Dimensions.—Fully expanded the animal is 18 cm. in height and 10 cm. in diameter.

Distribution.—Of the genus—New Zealand. Of the species—Cook Strait. less ↑

Habitat

Column

Oral disc

Tentacles

Distribution

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An edited version of Papers from Dr. Th. Mortensen's Pacific Expedition 1914-16. XXI.

Actiniaria from New Zealand and its Subantarctic Islands.
By Oskar Carlgren, Lund.



Margin distinct with a well developed fossa. Cinclides in the region of the margin. Tentacles of the same number as the mesenteries, in large specimens 70-88. Longitudinal muscles of the tentacles and radial muscles of the oral disc palisade-like arranged. 2 siphonoglyphes with long aboral prolongations. Embryos developing in a deep circular fold round the column.

Colour?

Dimensions of the largest specimen in contracted state : Breadth of the pedal disc 2.2 cm, height of the column 2 cm.

Occurrence. Auckland Islands, Carnley Harbour, under stones, low-water. Campbell Island, Perseverance Harbour. Under stones, low water.

Pedal disc is wide. Column, as far I can see, without sucking warts, in the Auckland-specimens very contracted, so that there have arised deep circular and shallower longitudinal rows. 4 of the Auckland-specimens and 4 of the Campbell-specimens bear small young arranged in a more or less distinct annulus round the column. In one specimen there was round the column a deep fold, in which several young were hidden wholly or for the greater part. In some of the other specimens provided with young the circular fold for the young was hardly differentiated from the other circular folds of the column. The embryos had mostly immigrated from the brood-pouch. It is namely clear that we have to do with a species, the young of which develop their first stages in a brood-pouch of the same kind as in Cricophorus nutrix (compare this species). The margin is distinct with a deep fossa. In sections through the marginal region I have observed cinclides (stated in 5 specimens). The tentacles are hexamerously arranged. The youngest cycle is incomplete. The number of tentacles varies in the larger specimens from 70 to 88. Strange to say I have not observed the largest number in the largest specimens. Two specimens, each with 88 tentacles, were not more than 1 resp. 1.8cm broad at the pedal disc and 0.5 resp. 1cm high, while 3 specimens with a pedal disc of 2.3 resp. 2.3 and 2cm diameter and with a column 1.9, 1.8 and 1.5cm high had at most 76 tentacles. The tentacles were short, conical and in consequence of a bad preservation strongly depressed in the apex and here with a wide perforation. The oral disc is radially furrowed.

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Edited version of New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research

Epiactis thompsoni (Coughtrey, 1875) and E. mortenseni (Carlgren, 1924)
by J. R. Ottaway (1975)

I have found 2 specimens of E. mortenseni at South Bay, Kaikoura,and one specimen outside the Edward Percival Marine Laboratory,Kaikoura (42° 25' S, 173° 42'E). All three specimens had reddish tentacles and columns with alternating longitudinal stripes of red and olive-green. One of the South Bay specimens was found under a stone at extreme low water spring tides; the other two were attached to Cystophora sp. about 50 m from shore in 4 m depth less ↑

A relatively large anemone
Habitat
Rock pools, sheltered sandy coasts.

Column
Wider at the base and top, with characteristic red and white stripes running from top to bottom. Up to 70mm high.

Oral disc
Red to reddish brown. 50mm diameter.

Tentacles
Up to 60 dull green, brown to pale grey tentacles, sometimes tipped in pink/mauve. About 25mm long.

Distribution
Endemic, throughout NZ, more common in the South Island.

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Edited version of Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 7, 1874, p280
Art. XLI.—Description of a new Species of Actinia.
By Professor M. Coughtrey, M.D. :

A lateral grower.—Body, 2.5cm long; striped vermilion and whitish-yellow, nearly all red, striæ entire; peristomic rim wide; tentacles round on trans. sect., conical in general form, 12mm long; shafts yellowish-white, tips purple, latter slightly shaded off as it passes into the shaft of tentacle, in three alternate rows of about twenty each.

At very low water, Deborah Bay, Port Chalmers, rocks.

Two others, one pale, half-inch long; striped vermilion-red and white; tentacles not tipped with purple; the other like A. messembryanthemum of Britain.

Named in honour of Captain Thompson, harbour-master.

Edited version of Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 41, 1908, pp370-373
Art. XXXV.—On Two Anemones found in the Neighbourhood of Wellington—Leiotealia thompsoni and Sagartia albocincta.
By F. G. A. Stuckey, M.A. :

Pedal-disc.—Adhesive to rocks and boulders. It is rather wider than the column.

Column.—Cylindrical in shape. Its height can be varied in a rather marked manner in proportion to the diameter of the oral disc. The colour is white and red in alternate longitudinal lines, which, however, are not generally entire. The colours are deposited in patches, the red in small irregular spots, the white marks being more or less elliptical. This gives the surface of the column a somewhat chequered appearance under a lens of low power. There is a distinct ridge or collar round the top of the column. The colour of preserved specimens completely disappears, when the wall is seen to be thrown into parallel ridges which lie close together, running round the body of the animal like hoops round a cask. Each of these folds is wrinkled or pleated, the pleats being so close together and so nearly in line as to almost present the appearance of longitudinal ridges.

Tentacles.—These are arranged in three whorls—10 in the first or inner, 20 in the second, 30 in the third. This arrangement gives the appearance of their being placed in groups of six, thus: Each tentacle is conical in shape, and very stout. All the tentacles are equal in size. In colour they are of a dull white, with a mauve tip. In a few specimens, which, it is worth noting, were all obtained from Island Bay, the mauve tip was wanting, and in these cases the longitudinal markings of the body-wall appear to be entire. One specimen had light-brown tentacles. There is a pore at the tip of each tentacle.

Oral Disc.—The colour is reddish-brown, marked in radiating lines by the insertions of the mesenteries. The mouth is set on a darker-coloured prominent peristome, round which is a depression. There are two siphonoglyphs marked by pink tubercles.

Œsophagus.—The colour is a dull white, with brighter lines at the insertions of the mesenteries.

Dimensions.—A good specimen would be as much as 6–7 cm. in height and 4–5 cm. in breadth; tentacles, 2.5 cm.

Locality and Habits.—The species is apparently littoral, being found just above and below low-water mark, attached to the rocks and to loose stones. It is apparently fairly well distributed on the coast of New Zealand, but is not very numerous in any locality. It is more plentiful at Plimmerton than at any other place so far as I know. It has been found at most places-along the coast between Plimmerton and Wellington. Professor Coughtrey's specimens were found in Otago Harbour.

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Summary of The New Zealand Sea Shore John Morton and Michael Miller, 1968, p158-9 :
Distributed from Wellington south, found in deep, sheltered, rock pools, sometimes in course gravel. Red and white striped column with a collar at the top, oral disc red to red-brown. 60 or so light grey or green tentacles , sometimes pink tipped. less ↑

A common small anemone easily confused with Isactinia olicvacea, but described as a more vivid green.
Habitat
Rocky shore intertidal zone, rock pools, crevices, and the undersides of ledges, adhering to and between rocks.

Pedal disc
Well developed pedal disc, pale tan approx same diameter as the column, up to 35mm diameter.

Column
The column averaging 20mm high, up to 35mm diameter. Usually green, but brown and reddish brown forms are known but are less common.
Light coloured adhesive areas run in lines up the side of the column and coarse sand and shell grit stick to these. During low tide the tentacles are retracted and the contracted column appears black, covered in the sand and shells.
There are no spherules or pseudospherules at margin of the column.

Tentacles
Regular array of 24 to 124 tentacles (possibly more in large specimens), the same colour as rest of the anemone. All approx the same length, the central ones are held erect, the marginal ones droop over edge.
One site says "tentacles that are the same colour as its column"

Distribution
Recorded from Auckland, Kaikoura, Otago Peninsula, but probably throughout NZ, and possibly misidentified as Isactinia olicvacea less ↑

The NZ Organisms Register lists five species of Anthopleura known from New Zealand (http://www.nzor.org.nz/search?query=anthopleura).

Parry: A KEY T O T H E COMMON NEW ZEALAND ANEMONES

1. Anemones with basal disc of attachment, normally fixed to the substratum. 4.
2. _
3. _
4. Acontia absent. Column smooth or warty. 5.
5. Tentacles simple, arranged in cycles. Fam. Actiniidae. 13.
6. _
7. _
8. _
9. _
10. _
11. _
12. _
13. Column rough, with warts or vesicles. 15.
14. _
15. Column with warts or vesicles. 16.
16. Warts in regular longitudinal arrangement.17.

17. Warts large at the top of the column, becoming smaller and almost disappearing at the base. Fusion of the top two or three warts, surmounted by marginal spherules. Fairly small—1-3 cm. Brown, with white and yellow markings. Lives in mud flats and rock pools. Anthopleura areoradiata.
    White column, tentacles brown and white, but both may be pink or orange. Anthopleura inconspicua.
    Column cream or orange, disc white to pink, tentacles pink. Anthopleura rosea.
    Column dark red, tentacles and disc brown and white. Spherules pink, commonly in mussel beds. Anthopleura minima.
    Complex fusion of warts at top of the column, involving ten or so warts, surmounted by a prominent marginal spherule, usually white. Column thick and muscular. Height about 10 cm. Oulactis muscosa.

Comparison of the Anthopleura species, based on Table 2 by Spano & Häussermann, Anthopleura radians, a new species of sea anemone (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Actiniidae) from northern Chile, with comments on other species of the genus from the South Pacific Ocean" - Biodiversity and Natural History (2017) Vol. 3, No. 1, 1-11:
less ↑

Common
Habitat
In hollows on mudstone or on shells, such as cockles, or stones on mudflats or tidal pools. In rocky intertidal and mudflats.

Column
Brown, yellow, and white. Brown column widening towards the top, up to 40mm high. Covered with small pale yellow or grey verrucae bumps in lines from top to bottom, prominent at the top margin. Has a groove with 24 marginal spherules at the base of the tentacles. Broods internally.

Oral disc
Brown or grey with slit mouth. With yellow mark on the peristome. 12 to 18mm diameter.

Tentacles
Up to 72 tentacles in 4 whorls, brown, mottled with irregular patches of silvery white, all about the same length. The tentacles are blunt and appear to have hollow tips.

Distribution
Throughout NZ and in South Australia.

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An edited version of Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Art. XXXIV, Volume 41, 1908, pp367-369:
Notes on a New Zealand Actinian, Bunodes aureoradiata
By F. G. A. Stuckey, M.A. :

Specific Character.—Yellow radii in 6 groups of 3.

Pedal-disc. slightly wider than the column; the edge undulate to correspond with the vertical rows of warts. On each undulation are 2 or sometimes 3 perforations, through which, when irritated, the animal projects nematocysts torpedo-fashion, and in such a manner as at first sight to suggest feeble acontia.

Column.—Cylindrical. In full expansion it is higher than the breadth. The lower half is light or yellowish-brown, upper half greenish-brown. There are 24 vertical rows of warts or verrucæ: near the bottom of the column these become mere markings; they increase in size as they ascend the column, culminating in a row of 24 white beads at the bases of the outer whorl of tentacles.

Tentacles.—Conical and gently tapering. Pore at tip. Colour bronze-green, like that of the oral disc. The tentacles are very sensitive, and completely and quickly retractile; they number 48, and are arranged in 4 whorls, the formula being 6 + 6 + 12 + 24 = 48.

Oral Disc. The “mouth” is borne on a prominent peristome surrounded by a broken circle of yellow, from which extend 6 groups, each consisting of 3 radiating yellow lines with a shorter yellow line between each 2 groups. These yellow radii correspond to the first 3 whorls of tentacles, the tentacles of the 4th whorl being set opposite to the interspaces.

Æsophagus.—The colour is greyish-white. Each side of the œsophagus is thrown into 2 large lobes. Outgrowths of the mesoglœa, with corresponding foldings of the ectodermal lining of the œsophagus, give a much folded appearance, which in cross-sections somewhat resembles an exaggerated starfish.

Dimensions.—Oral disc 12 mm. wide in a good specimen. Height in full expansion rather more than 12 mm. The longest tentacles are about 8 mm.

Locality and Habits. The animal lives between tide-marks, almost completely buried in sand and mud. The presence of the zooxanthellæ probably enables it to adopt this habit.

---

An edited version of Actiniaria of New Zealand Part 1, 1951.
A check-list of recorded and new species a review of the literature and a key to the commoner forms
by G. Parry, M.Sc :

The column is straight and pillar-like, a little narrower at the base, widening towards the tentacles. The lines of mesenterial insertion down the column are shown as white lines. The brown colour of this anemone is probably due, at least in part, to the presence of the symbiotic zooanthellae.
The surface of it is covered with verrucae, arranged in longitudinal rows, their size diminishing from top to bottom. These verrucae sometimes attach pieces of detritus to the column, but this is not common. The verrucae tend to form compound structures just below the top of the column. The verrucae pale yellow, or grey.
There is a collar carrying 24, rather prominent, marginal spherules (less in smaller specimens, and +/- one or two fully grown ones). Marginal spherules are white,

The tentacles are in 4 cycles, 6, 6, 24, 36. A large specimen has about 70 tentacles. The different cycles are all much of the same size. The tentacles are brown, mottled with irregular patches of silvery white.

The oral disc is wide and flat, the tentacles always being held well out from the disc in expanded specimens. The peristome is small and the mouth slit-like. The colour is very constant, a combination of brown and yellow and white. The basis of Stuckey's specific name—' 6 yellow radii in groups of three ', are 6 yellow marks on the peristome. Beyond this there is a ring of 6 M's, and beyond this again, a ring of 6 W s . All this is on a pattern of brown. The upper part of the column is brown, fading to a cream at the base.

Extremely abundant, found in mud-flats of estuaries, and the shallow intertidal pools, throughout New Zealand;

---

Tuatara: Volume 6, Issue 2, December 1956
Seafloor Animals from the Region of Portobello Marine Biological Station, Otago Harbour
By Patricia M. Ralph and J. C. Yaldwyn

Venus shell anemone. A small, 12 to 18 mm high, brown and yellow anemone frequently epizooic with the Venus shell Austrovenus stutchburyi; column straight and pillar-like when fully extended, a little narrower at the base, widening upwards to the tentacles; surface covered with small adhesive yellow or grey warts, the upper part of the column brown in colour, fading to cream at the base; tentacles simple, brown mottled with irregular patches of silvery white; the colour of the animal rarely varies. Found throughout New Zealand.
less ↑

Uncommon, medium sized anemone.
Habitat
On stones our underside of rocks, or under sand with tentacles protruding. Another source just say in mudflats.

Pedal disc
Adherent, somewhat wider than the column

Column
OIive-brown to yellowish white but lighter towards the base, and a collar at the top. Covered with columns of brown (often pale centred) non-prominent verrucae warts which dwindle towards the base of the column. Ringed at the top of each column of warts by marginal spherules.

Oral disc
A white "mouth" often puckered outwards on an olive-brown disc. Up to about 15 to 20mm diameter. Dark lines radially from tentacles to centre.

Tentacles
48 long, olive brown, tentacles in 3 whorls (Batham says 4 whorls, about 120 in total). They are about as long as the disc is wide (Up to about 15 to 20mm). "Margined with white", they are often marked with whites spots on the inner surface.

Distribution
Endemic, throughout NZ.

Have symbiotic Zooxanthellae.

---

Description extracted from Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 11, 1878, p308
Art. XXXII.—The Sea Anemones of New Zealand.
By Prof. Hutton. :

Genus: Column with suckers, but no loop-holes; margin of disc beaded.

Column cylindrical, as long or longer than broad, with vertical rows of suckers on warts. Olive brown above, passing into yellowish white below; the warts brown, often pale-centred. Disc round, concave, olive brown, sometimes marked with grey, marginal row of beads white.

Tentacles moderate, nearly or quite equal to the diameter of the disc, quite retractile; olive brown margined with white, and often white-spotted.

Diameter about 8mm.

In rock pools near Dunedin, abundant.

In some the warts are obsolete near the base, owing to the animal having lived in a narrow crack in the rocks. There is also a variety in which the tentacles are purplish grey, and the disc even is sometimes the same colour.

---

Edited description extracted from Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand , Volume 85, 1957-58, p647

By E J. Batham :

This species was named, by Hutton, Phymactis inconspicua. The vertical arrangement of its verrucæ, however, gives it a place in the genus Bunodes.

Basal Disc.—Adherent, rather wider than the column.

Column.—Cylindrical, slightly widening towards the base. Verrucæ in vertical rows, long and short rows alternating. Towards the lower end of the column they become less numerous and smaller, at last becoming mere marks. The colour of the column is whitish below, olive-brown above. The column closely resembles that of Anthopleura aureoradiata. Under the tentacles is a ring of white tubercles or “marginal beads,” each one being placed at the top of a vertical row of warts.

Tentacles.—These are placed in four whorls, and are about 120 in number. The largest is equal in length to the diameter of the disc. They are conical, and taper to a fine point. In colour they are olive-brown, with from 2 to 6 white spots on the inner side. They are completely retractile, and very sensitive. The lumen is filled with zooxanthellæ.

Oral Disc.—Flat; peristome raised. Colour olive-brown. "Mouth" white, often puckered outwards.

Dimensions.—My largest specimens were 15mm. high, and about the same in diameter, but I am told they grow much larger.

Distribution.—Of the genus—As above. Of the species—Dunedin, Wellington.

---

Tuatara: Volume 6, Issue 2, December 1956
Seafloor Animals from the Region of Portobello Marine Biological Station, Otago Harbour
By Patricia M. Ralph and J. C. Yaldwyn

Similar but larger than A. aureoradiata, up to 5cm. high, with a white column, less clearly defined warts and the tentacles olive brown barried with white on the mouth aspect. The body colours of this latter species are, however, very variable and both disc and column may be pink or orange.

---

Edited description extracted from The Actiniaria of New Zealand, Part I, page 105
By G Parry

Base - firmly adherent, and perhaps slightly wider than the column. Usually attached to stones, and the undersides of boulders.

Column - slightly widens towards the pedal disc and the oral disc. There are verrucae in precise longitudinal rows, disappearing in the lower half of the column. They are not so prominent, even in the upper part, as in A.aureoradiata. They are tipped with white, but do not appear to be adhesive, since specimens are seldom found with any detritus attached to them. The column is olive brown above, fading to cream at the base. There is a definite collar and fosse at the top of the column, with a ring of white marginal spherules.

Oral disc - usually rather concave, with the peristome flat, at the bottom. Often in normal conditions it is not fully expanded, but sunken, with the tentacles held over the disc. Colour of the disc is olive brown, with darker lines along the mesenteries. The peristome is white and is broken by two bands of brown running from the bases of the directive tentacles, four thinner bands running from the other primary tentacles. This colour variety described is the commonest found, although I have seen others with a combination of pale yellow and brown, or orange and brown.

Tentacles - 48, in 3 cycles, 12, 12, 24, in the largest specimens I have seen. Stuckey records u p to 120 tentacles in smaller specimens. They are rather long and fine, about the same length as the diameter of the disc. They are olive brown, barred with white on the oral aspect. The 12 tentacles of the first cycle are a darker brown than the others. They are very sensitive and are quickly withdrawn into the coelenteron, on the slightest stimulation.

Size - Generally larger than A. aureoradiata. Large specimens have height of column 4-5 cm., diameter of disc 1.5-2 cm., length of tentacles is 1.5-2 cm., width of base, up to 3 cm.

This anemone is not particularly common, although if one knows its usual environment well, it is usually possible to find one or two. It prefers a sheltered area, where there is a coarse muddy bottom, with small rocks. Usually it is attached to that part of a rock which is buried in the mud, and projects upwards, so that the crown is a centimetre or so above the mud surface. It also prefers to be out of a bright light. Stuckey records the species from Dunedin and Wellington. I have found it at Piha (Auckland), Portobello (Port Chalmers), Menzies Bay and Taylor's Mistake (Banks Peninsula), and Goose Bay (Kaikoura).
less ↑

Locally numerous.
Habitat
.

Pedal disc
Pedal disc broad, 0.8cm.

Column
Column in contracted state conical, in upper part with distinct Urticina-verrucae.
Height 0.7 cm. Colour in alcohol reddish or white.

Oral disc
.

Tentacles
Tentacles from 38-54. 2 distinct gonidial tubercules and siphonoglyphes

Distribution
Stewart Island, Paterson Inlet, Port Pegasus; littoral, under stones.

Endoderm with Zooxanthellae.

---

Description extracted from Scientific Announcements, Danish Natural History Association in Copenhagen Volume 77, 1924, pp211-212
Anthopleura sp.?
By Dr. Th. Mortensen. :

Diagnosis. Pedal disc broad. Column in contracted state conical, in upper part with distinct Urticina-verrucae corresponding to the endocoels. Fossa distinct. Sphincter as in aureo-radiata. Tentacles from 38-54. 2 distinct gonidial tubercules and siphonoglyphes. Mesenteries about 24 pairs one half perfect. Pennons of the mesenteries strong with high and ramificated folds (stronger than in aureo-radiata). Parietobasilar muscles strong, forming a distinct fold. Nematocysts of the column 12-17 x (1)1,5-2u, those of the tentacles 17-22x1.5u, those of the marginal sphaerules partly 29-37x3,5-4,5(5)u, partly 25-31x(2)2,5-3,5u (probably transition stages between the two kinds present). those of the actinopharynx 22-24x2u. Spirocysts of the tentacles 10x1-23x2,5 u. Endoderm with Zooxanthellae.

Colour in alcohol reddish or white.

Dimensions. Largest specimen from Paterson Inlet: breadth of the pedal disc 0,8 cm, height 0,7 cm.

Occurrence. Stewart Island, Paterson Inlet; littoral, under stones 18.11.1914 numerous specimens. Stewart Island, Port Pegasus; littoral, under stones 22.11.1914. 2 specimens.

I have not given a name to this species, because the specimens were not sexually ripe and it is possible that it is a young form of Anthopleura inconspicua (Phymactis inconspicua Hutton, Bunose inconspicua Stuckey) or of A. rosea (Bunodes rosea Stuckey and Walton). The Urticina-verrucae were mostly distinct, in some specimens they had stones attached to them. The tentacles were 38, 38, 48, 54 in 4 examined specimens, in the last specimen (from Port Pegasus) the tentacles were 24 on one side, 30 on the other. In the largest sectioned specimen from Paterson Inlet the mesenteries were 48, or which one half perfect. Also in hand-section through the under part of the largest specimen from Port Pegasus I counted 48 stronger mesenteries, but it is probable that some very small mesenteries were besides present (compare the number of tentacles). less ↑

Habitat
Common. Often associated with mussels near low tide level on exposed reefs. Either on the mussels or the rock between the mussels. Small ones are also found also among the tubes of fan tube worms.

Column
The base is wider than the column with an irregular flange around the edge. The column is dark pink or orange or red or brick with verrucae bumps, of the same colour, which may stick to shell fragments etc. The column is 20 to 30mm high and 10 to 15mm diameter.

Oral disc
At the edge of the disc in a collar at the top of the column are 12 to 48 pink (or sometimes white) spherules.
The oral disc is described alternately as a complex pattern from the centre of yellow/brown/grey with radiating yellow lines or as a complex pattern of light and dark green and grey from a pink/red area around the mouth to the outside of the disk.
Also "The actinopharynx itself is orange or pink with the siphonoglyphes marked by a transverse brown band. Two to five siphonoglyphs have been observed in different specimens, asymmetrically arranged" or "With radiating gold marks running from the peristome towards the bases of the tentacles"

Tentacles
In three whorls, up to about 36 tentacles described alternately as half the diameter of the oral disc, or about the same length as the oral disc. Also "They are mottled with silver and brown in a complex pattern. Directives and the first cycle of six are mostly white, with a central dark streak. The others are mostly brown on the oral side, with a few irregular white spots. Those adjacent to the inner ring of six, have the side adjacent, also white. In shape the tentacles are broad at the base, rather blunt" and "Fairly stout, tapering gently. Semi-transparent, with white bars and dots. There is a white area round the base, then a few dark lines."

Distribution
NZ wide.

Reproduction
"possible ... that it reproduces by lateral fission, although partially divided animals have never been found"

Zooxanthellae not present.

---

Edited version of Records of the Canterbury Museum, Vol 6, No 1, p107-8, Nov 1951
Article: The Actiniaria of New Zealand - a check-list of recorded and new species, a review of the literature, and a key to the commoner forms Part 1
By G. Parry. :

Anthopleura minima, Stuckey and Walton, 1910

Habitat
This is a firmly adherent species, often attached to mussels, or to the rock between mussel attachments.
The most common environment is in the mussel beds which are found on exposed reefs. It sometimes occurs in large numbers in such an environment, attached to the mussel shells near their attachment to the rocks, or between the mussels, on the rock itself. It is generally near low tide level. Small specimens are found also among the tubes of the serpulid Pomatoceros sp. Isolated specimens are found rarely beneath boulders at low tide level on sheltered rocky shores.

Pedal disc
The base is irregular in outline, wider than the column and with quite a distinct flange. It is pink in colour.

Column
The column is pillar-like, but very variable in shape. Colour varies from dark pink or red, to orange or brick. Verrucae are present, but are not particularly prominent, nor do they commonly appear to act as suckers, although they are able to do so. Their colour is the same as that of the column. There is a well-marked collar at the top of the column, and within it a ring of 12 (or up to 48 in large specimens) spherules. They are pink although occasionally white.

Oral Disc
The oral disc is flat in expansion with the peristome flat or slightly raised. There is a complicated pattern of gold and brown and grey, with radiating gold marks running from the peristome towards the bases of the tentacles. The actinopharynx itself is orange or pink with the siphonoglyphes marked by a transverse brown band. Two to five siphonoglyphs have been observed in different specimens, asymmetrically arranged. It seems possible from this, and from the gregarious nature of the species, that it reproduces by lateral fission, although partially divided animals have never been found.

Tentacles
The tentacles are commonly 36, or more in larger individuals. The number is variable, and there is seldom a strictly hexamerous arrangement. They are mottled with silver and brown in a complex pattern. Directives and the first cycle of six are mostly white, with a central dark streak. The others are mostly brown on the oral side, with a few irregular white spots. Those adjacent to the inner ring of six, have the side adjacent, also white. In shape the tentacles are broad at the base, rather blunt, and half the diameter of the disc.

Size
In size, height may be 2-3 cm, diameter 1-1.5 cm, tentacles 0.5 cm long.

Distribution
It has been found in large numbers at Otohuao in mussel beds (near Menzies Bay) and similarly at Wainui (Akaroa); in serpulid tubes at Taylor's Mistake; also from Menzies Bay, Portobello (Otago Harbour), St. Helier's Bay, Manukau Harbour (Auckland), and Goose Bay (Kaikoura).

---

An edited version of Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Art. LV., Volume 42, 1909, p543:
Notes on a Collection of Sea-anemones.
By F. G. A. Stuckey, M.A., and C. L.Walton. :

Bunodes minima, sp. nov.

Pedal Disc
Adherent to rocks; irregular in outline.

Column
Rosy pink, or light orange. Slightly higher than broad. Wrinkled. Warts few. Marginal beads white or pink.

Oral Disc
Centre rose-colour. Between this and bases of tentacles is a complicated pattern of light and dark olive-green and grey.

Tentacles
36 in number. As long as diameter of disc, or slightly more. Fairly stout, tapering gently. Semi-transparent, with white bars and dots. There is a white area round the base, then a few dark lines.

Size
We did not record the exact dimensions, but the species is smaller than B. inconspicua. less ↑

A suggested new species of sea anemone as described by Carlos Spano and Vreni Häussermann and published by Biodiversity and Natural History (2017) Vol. 3, No. 1, 1-11. These look very much like anemones found in NZ.
"... Since no type specimen (or any specimen at all) could be found for A. minima, the decision whether or not it is a senior synonym of A. radians remains pending until new samples from its original locality are examined." less ↑

Common, small anemone.
Habitat
Under stones in sheltered places in fine gravel or coarse sand. In places where coarse sand meets stones.

Pedal disc
Adherent, light coloured, wider than column.

Column
Varies from white/grey to bright orange or olive-green. Has lines of white verrucae, adhesive bumps, from top to bottom to which shell fragments and grit stick.
Has light coloured marginal spherules at base of tentacles.

Oral disc
Flat or slightly concave yellowy-white oral disc with 12 radiating darker lines from a similarly dark ring around the white mouth.

Tentacles
48 tentacles arranged in 3 whorls. Rosey pink, blotched with brown and white, appear banded.

Distribution
Endemic, throughout NZ.

Zooxanthellae not present.

---

Description extracted from Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand 1868-1961, Volume 42, 1909, p541
Art. LV.—Notes on a Collection of Sea-anemones.
By F. G. A. Stuckey, M.A., and C. L.Walton.

Pedal Disc
Adherent to rocks.

Column
Olive-green, orange-brown, or umber. Covered with warts; most numerous about middle of column. The warts have suckers, to which particles adhere. There is a row of white spherules on the margin.

Oral Disc
Yellowish-white, with 12 darkumber rays, united in the middle of the disc by a circle of the same colour, thus producing a wheel-like pattern. The rays split in two. Stomodœum.—The mouth is raised on a cone.

Tentacles
In three whorls, 40 to 50 in number; probably 12+12+24 in normal specimens. They are thick at the base, and taper to a point. The colour is rosy red, brightest at the tip and dull umber at the base. They are irregularly marked on the inner surface with bars and spots.

Size
Height of column, 5 mm.; diameter when fully expanded, 18 mm.; diameter of oral disc, 7 mm.; longest tentacle, 6 mm.

Reproduction
This species has been observed by us to increase by fission.

Distribution
Pukeroa and neighbourhood.

---

Edited version of Records of the Canterbury Museum, Vol 6, No 1, p106-7, Nov 1951
Article: The Actiniaria of New Zealand - a check-list of recorded and new species, a review of the literature, and a key to the commoner forms Part 1
By G. Parry. :

Habitat
The species is found commonly under stones, in sheltered places, embedded in fine gravel or coarse mud. It is just below tide level, except occasionally.

Pedal Disc
Adherent, often buried in mud, etc., and cream in colour. It is a little wider than the collar, which is pillar shaped in expansion.

Column
Verrucae in longitudinal rows, to which particles are attached. Colour very variable, from white or grey, to bright orange, olive green, etc. The verrucae are white. At the top of the column, lying within the well-marked fosse, is a ring of white spherules.

Oral disc
Flat or slightly concave, with raised peristome. Colour is creamy white with 12 dark brown rays running out from the dark brown peristome. Throat is white.

Tentacles
Fairly short, and taper to a fine point. They are 40-50 in large specimens, in three cycles (12, 12, 24). They are a rosy pink colour, translucent, and irregularly marked with brown and white spots. These spots are more numerous at the base of each tentacle, and disappear towards the tip.

Reproduction
The reproduction of this species, according to Stuckey and Walton, is by fission, although I have myself seen no evidence for this.

Distribution
It has been found at Menzies Bay, Portobello (Otago Harbour), Onehunga (Auckland), and Pukeroa and neighbourhood (Stuckey and Wilson) less ↑

Large anemone, very common within its range.
Habitat
Offshore on hard substrate or broken shells.

Pedal disc
Cream adherent base.

Column
Varies from deep to pale orange/apricot, fades towards base. Covered with pale orange/white verrucae bumps in lines from top to bottom. Marked collar at top. About 100mm high.

Oral disc
Varies from white to orange, about 40 to 50mm diameter.

Tentacles
Up to 100, white, medium length.

Distribution
Endemic, East coast of south Island. Known from Lyttleton, Akaroa, Otago. less ↑