The brooding anemone, ''Halianthella annularis'', is a
species of
sea anemone
Sea anemones are a group of predation, predatory marine invertebrates of the order (biology), order Actiniaria. Because of their colourful appearance, they are named after the ''Anemone'', a terrestrial flowering plant. Sea anemones are classifi ...
in the
family Halcampidae
Halcampidae is a family of sea anemones. Members of this family usually live with their column buried in sand or other soft substrates.
Genera
Genera in the family include:
* '' Acthelmis'' Lütken, 1875
* '' Cactosoma'' Danielssen, 1890
* '' Ca ...
,.
[Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. ''Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa'' ]
Description
The brooding anemone is a pale, fragile-looking anemone, having 24 long, transparent
tentacles.
[Jones, Georgina. ''A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula.'' SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ]
Distribution
It is found only around the
South African coast, from Lamberts Bay to Cape Agulhas.
Ecology
This anemone is found subtidally down to at least 20m under water. It favours sheltered areas and overhangs.
Juveniles are brooded in a fold of the skin on the column of the parent.
References
Halcampidae
Animals described in 1938
{{Actiniaria-stub