Sea anemones
Sea Anemones
Sea Anemones (pronunciation: /siː əˈnɛməniːz/) are a group of marine, predatory animals of the order Actiniaria. They are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flowering plant, because of the colourful appearance of many.
Etymology
The term "Sea Anemone" comes from the Greek language. The name is derived from the Greek term "anemōnē" which means "daughter of the wind". This is a reference to the terrestrial flowering plant called anemone which is named after the wind flowers that open only when the wind blows.
Description
Sea Anemones are classified in the phylum Cnidaria, class Anthozoa, subclass Hexacorallia. As cnidarians, sea anemones are related to corals, jellyfish, and Hydra. They are simple, solitary, sessile animals that are usually cylindrical in shape and are attached to a substrate. A mouth is located in the center of the oral disc surrounded by tentacles armed with many cnidocytes, which are cells that function as a defense and as a means to capture prey.
Habitat and Distribution
Sea Anemones are found from the tidal zone of all oceans to depths of more than 10,000 meters (about 33,000 feet). Some live in brackish water. They can be found in a wide range of environments, including coral reefs, sand, mud, and attached to rocks or other hard substrates.
Related Terms
- Cnidaria: The phylum that includes sea anemones, corals, and jellyfish.
- Anthozoa: The class of Cnidaria that includes sea anemones and corals.
- Hexacorallia: The subclass of Anthozoa that includes sea anemones and stony corals.
- Cnidocytes: Specialized cells used for capturing prey and defense, found in all cnidarians.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sea anemones
- Wikipedia's article - Sea anemones
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