''Metridium canum'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
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
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
. It is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean and the seas off New Zealand.
Description
''M. canum'' has a cylindrical column of about 10mm diameter, that is wider at the base than it is high when contracted. Cinclides (specialist pores) are present on the upper part of the column, and there are four or five whorls of crowded tentacles on the oral disc. Internally, there are forty-five pairs of mesenteries in four cycles radiating from the body wall. This sea anemone is grey, the tentacles sometimes having black tips.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the Southwest Pacific and the
Kermadec Islands
The Kermadec Islands ( mi, Rangitāhua) are a subtropical island arc in the South Pacific Ocean northeast of New Zealand's North Island, and a similar distance southwest of Tonga. The islands are part of New Zealand. They are in total are ...
. Its typical habitat is sand or mud where it is attached to the undersides of stones.
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References
Animals described in 1914
Metridiidae
{{Actiniaria-stub