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| sea anemones text index | photo index |
| Phylum Cnidaria > Class Anthozoa > Subclass Zoantharia/Hexacorallia > Order Actiniaria |
| Banded
bead anemone Anthopleura sp.* Family Actiniidae updated Feb 10
Where seen? These small anemones are often seen on our rocky areas that are exposed even at moderate tides. Usually in clusters of many individuals. Crowded near the base of boulders, in crevices and cracks of the boulders and even in the sand nearby. When exposed to air at low tide, it tucks its tentacles into its body column so it looks like a bead of jelly. Those in the sand may retract completely, leaving only little holes. It is easy to miss these small delicate animals and to accidentally step on them. To see one with the tentacles expanded, look for pools where some might still remain submerged. Features: Diameter with tentacles expanded 1-2cm. One ring of tapering tentacles with a banded pattern. The oral disk is relatively large compared to the tentacles and is sometimes patterned. The entire animal is usually in shades of brown and beige. Although often found in groups of many individuals packed close to one another, it is a solitary polyp and not a colonial animal. There are several species of Anthopleura that may be found near one another and are hard to distinguish in the field. Anthopleura handi: Occurs in smaller numbers of larger individuals. The anemone and its veruccae are a dull grey green. Anthopleura dixoniana: Occurs in large numbers of smaller individuals. The anemone is darker with verrucae that are lighter than the body column. Anthopleura nigrescens: Compared to A. dixoniana, individuals are larger with a darker body column, more conspicuous verrucae and the bumps around the top of the body column under the tentacles (called acrorhagi) have white tips. |
 Chek Jawa, Oct 04  Chek Jawa, Mar 05  Chek Jawa, Mar 05 |
These tiny animals are everywhere on the shore. Don't
step on them!
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Banded bead anemones on Singapore shores
 Pulau Sarimbun, May 05 |
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 Lazarus, Jul 04  |
 Pulau Jong, Jul 06  |
 Changi, Oct 09 Often found in crevices on large rocks. |
more photos of
banded bead anemones on Singapore shores
northern shores
southern shores part 1 | part
2
*Species
are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.
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Links
References
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The Nature Society (Singapore), Singapore. 343 pp.|
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