DESCRIPTION OF THE SEA ANEMONE ANTHOPLEURA THALLIA (GOSSE 1854)

摘要

The inconspicuous intertidal sea anemone Anthopleura thallia is redescribed based on recent collections in England and Ireland. The redescription includes a complete account of the types and sizes of cnidae, and documents variability in colouration and pattern within and among populations. This is the first record of the species in Ireland. Anthopleura thallia is sympatric with the better-known and widespread species Aulactinia verrucosa, and the two may co-occur at a single site; they differ in colouration, reproductive biology, internal anatomy and the types of cnidae in the body.