''Oulactis muscosa'', also known as the sand anemone and speckled anemone, 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 in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Actiniidae Actiniidae is the largest family of sea anemones, to which most common, temperate, shore species belong. Most members of this family do not participate in symbioses with fishes. Three exceptions are the bubble-tip anemone (with anemonefish and ...

Description

This is a large, greenish-grey to off-white species, growing to 60–80 mm. It has up to one hundred short, conical tentacles that are transparent to pale greenish to greyish-white, to pale brown, grouped into three rows. On the column, there are vertical rows of adhesive bumps (verrucae) that are relatively darker than the rest of the body. The tentacles also have horizontal black bands. The oral disk varies in colouration, and is sometimes red, green, black or white, and may have streaks of darker colour radiating outward from its mouth. This species can be recognized by gravel, bits of shell or coarse sand that it attaches between its tentacles. ''Oulactis muscosa'' is closely related to '' Oulactis mcmurrichi'' (the southern sand anemone), which shares the same distribution and habitat. ''Oulactis muscosa'' can be distinguished by the difference in colouration. The column of ''Oulactis macmurrichi'' is more reddish-brown, or green to light purple, and has light green tentacles. It is possible that the two are variants of the same species.

Distribution

This anemone is found in

New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and over 700 smaller islands. It is the sixth-largest island count ...

, and in the Australian waters of southern

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , establishe ...

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, Victoria,

Tasmania ) , nickname = , image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdi ...

and

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...

Habitat

''Oulactis muscosa'' normally lives in rocky areas of the mid to low intertidal zone, in sand which has settled into cracks and crevices. Usually, only the oral disc and tentacles are visible.

Diet

''Oulactis muscosa'' feeds on small mussels.

Abundance

''Oulactis muscosa'' is not sought after by the pet industry, and is abundant. Thus, it is not threatened.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q3325053 Actiniidae Animals described in 1846