Epiactis fernaldi
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| Epiactis fernaldi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Actiniaria |
| Family: | Actiniidae |
| Genus: | Epiactis |
| Species: | E. fernaldi |
| Binomial name | |
| Epiactis fernaldi Fautin & Chia, 1986[1] | |
Epiactis fernaldi, commonly known as the Fernald brooding anemone (not to be confused with Cribrinopsis fernaldi, another sympatric species known as Fernald brooding anemone[2]), is a species of sea anemone in the family Actiniidae. It is native to shallow waters around the San Juan Islands off the western coast of North America.[3]
The Fernald brooding anemone is usually under 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter. It varies in colour, with different individuals being dull green, reddish-brown, dark orange or yellowish-brown; sometimes there are contrasting light or dark spots on the column. The bases of the tentacles are usually white and there are often dark lines between them which correspond to the internal mesenteries. This anemone is similar in appearance to the common brooding anemone (Epiactis prolifera), especially when contracted, but that species often has juveniles adhering to the outside of the column while the Fernald brooding anemone broods its young internally. The other related species found in the same areas have white radiating lines on the oral disc and striations on the column while Fernald's anemone lacks both of these.[3]
