Sea anemones (Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Actiniaria) from coral reefs in the southern Gulf of Mexico.

Ricardo González-Muñoz,Nuno Simões,José Luis Tello-Musi,Estefanía Rodríguez

doi:10.3897/zookeys.341.5816

Abstract

Seven sea anemone species from coral reefs in the southern Gulf of Mexico are taxonomically diagnosed and images from living specimens including external and internal features, and cnidae are provided. Furthermore, the known distribution ranges from another 10 species are extended. No species records of sea anemones have been previously published in the primary scientific literature for coral reefs in the southern Gulf of Mexico and thus, this study represents the first inventory for the local actiniarian fauna.

Highlights

Sea anemones are among the benthic and sessile invertebrates inhabiting the southern Gulf of Mexico (SGM) coral reefs
Observations and collections of specimens were done at 20 coral reef localities of the SGM during 2009–2011 (Figure 1)
Of the 20 valid species of Anemonia, four species have been recorded in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2013): A. sargassensis, A. melanaster (Verrill, 1901), A. depressa Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860, and A. elegans Verrill, 1901

Summary

Introduction

Sea anemones (order Actiniaria) are among the benthic and sessile invertebrates inhabiting the southern Gulf of Mexico (SGM) coral reefs. Of the 20 valid species of Anemonia, four species have been recorded in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2013): A. sargassensis, A. melanaster (Verrill, 1901), A. depressa Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860, and A. elegans Verrill, 1901.

Results

Conclusion