First records of the sea anemones Stichodactyla tapetum andStichodactyla haddoni (Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Stichodactylidae)from the southeast of Iran, Chabahar (Sea of Oman)

Authors: GILAN ATTARAN FARIMAN, PEGAH JAVID

Abstract: Sea anemones (order Actiniaria) are among the most widespread invertebrates in the tropical waters. The anthozoans Stichodactyla haddoni (Saville-Kent, 1893) and Stichodactyla tapetum (Hemprich and Ehrenberg in Ehrenberg, 1834) (family Stichodactylidae) were reported for the first time from the southeastern coast of Iran, Chabahar Bay, Tiss zone. The specimens of S. haddoni and S. tapetum were collected by hand from the intertidal zone of sand and rock substrates in April 2012. The samples characteristics were morphologically studied in the field and laboratory. This study presents a new locality record and information about S. haddoni and S. tapetum found in this part of the tropical sea.

Keywords: Exocoelic tentacles, endocoelic tentacles, tropical sea, morphological identification, symbiotic life

Full Text: PDF