#epiactis prolifera

[squigliez]

Friends on a bryozoan sample :3

[astronomy-to-zoology]

Brooding Sea Anemone (Epiactis prolifera)

Also known as the proliferating or small green anemone, the brooding sea anemone is a species of sea anemone endemic to the north-eastern Pacific. This species is unique as it is protogynic hermaphrodite, meaning it starts its life as a female and when it reaches a certain size it develops testes and lives as a proper hermaphrodite for the rest of its life. This species gets the name "brooding" as its young will remain within its mother's gastrovacular cavity during early development. Like most cnidarians this anemone is a suspension feeder, disabling any prey that happens to stumble upon its tentacles.

Phylogeny

Animalia-Cnidaria-Anthozoa-Hexacorallia-Actiniaria-Actiniidae-Epiactis-prolifera

Image Source(s)