MarLIN

information on the biology of species and the ecology of habitats found around the coasts and seas of the British Isles

Snakelocks anemone (Anemonia viridis)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.

Researched byDr Keith Hiscock Refereed byAdmin
Authority(Forskål, 1775)
Other common names- SynonymsAnemonia sulcata (Pennant, 1777)

Summary

Description

This large anemone has long flexuous tentacles which are a grey-brown or bright green in colour. The green variety has purple tips to the tentacles. The tentacles rarely withdraw into the column, which is reddish or greyish brown.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Present on the western coasts of Britain from Portsmouth all around to the west coast of Scotland where it extends northwards to just south of Cape Wrath. Absent from the east basin of the Irish Sea.

Global distribution

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Habitat

Present mainly in the intertidal especially in pools from mid-tide downwards but not extending far into the sublittoral. However, frequently present, often in large numbers on the leaves of seagrass (e.g. Zostera marina).

Depth range

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Identifying features

  • Base lightly but closely adherent, broader than column.
  • Column smooth, disk wide, tentacles long, fairly stout and flexuous - up to about 200.
  • Up to 70 mm across the base with a 180 mm tentacle span.
  • The column is reddish or greyish brown, the disk brown or greyish with white radial lines, tentacles grey-brown or bright green with purple tips.
  • Pale individuals may occur where there is little or no light (for instance when removed to an aquarium).
  • Tentacles rarely withdrawn but are capable of withdrawing fully into the column.

Additional information

Howson & Picton (1997) suggest that there is some evidence that the brown form of Anemonia may be a distinct species but this is yet to be confirmed.

Listed by

- none -

Further information sources

Search on:

NBN WoRMS

Bibliography

  1. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E. (ed.), 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  2. Lewis, J.R., 1964. The Ecology of Rocky Shores. London: English Universities Press.

  3. Stephenson, T.A., 1935. The British Sea Anemones, vol. 2. London: Ray Society.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Hiscock, K. 2008. Anemonia viridis Snakelocks anemone. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Available from: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1415

Last Updated: 29/04/2008