Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California Compiled & photographed by Gary McDonald, Long Marine Laboratory, University of California, Santa Cruz |
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Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt, 1835) | |
Aggregating Anemone | |
Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Actiniaria: Actiniidae | |
Geographic Range: Alaska to Baja California, Mexico. | Synonyms: |
Back to: Anthozoa | Back to: Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area |
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 20 Dec 2007. |
Description: Tentacles variable in color, typically greenish or greyish, often with pink, lavender or bluish tips. The column with vertical rows of adhesive tubercles (verrucae) which are used to attach pebbles, shell fragments etc., which may help reduce desiccation during exposure at low tide. May be distinguished from Anthopleura xanthogrammica which has smaller tubercles on column that are not arranged in obvious vertical rows, and which lacks obvious radiating lines on oral disk.May be distinguished from Anthopleura sola which is larger and solitary in habit. |
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 20 Dec 2007. |
Carmel Pt., Monterey Co., CA; 16 Feb 2008. |