Sep 25, 2024
#2528 - Isactinia olivacea - Olive Anemone
In Māori Humenga or Kōtore Ōriwa.
A common sea anemone in New Zealand and Southern Australia, favouring gravel-filled cracks between boulders and in rockpools, or buried in sand. May be olive to emerald green.
The colour is probably related to the symbiotic photosynthetic algae (zooxanthellae) they contain, like tropical corals. If kept slightly starved zoothanthellae produce sugars the polyp can digest, but the anemones also contain chemicals such as Phaeophytin, anthocyans, β-carotene and carotenoid pigments that are very likely produced by the alga, and may protect the animal from UV light.
Miramar Peninsula, Wellington, New Zealand