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Species
Invertebrates
Learn more about the invertebrates monitored by the LiMPETS program. The list below includes:
- 17 core taxa that are monitored at as many sites as possible
- 5 other taxa (denoted with *) that are monitored at only one or two sites
Go to Datasheets and Forms to find out which species are monitored at your LiMPETS site of interest.
- Abalone – Haliotis cracherodii
- Aggregating anemone – Anthopleura elegantissima
- Chitons – Mopalia spp./Nuttalina californica/Lepitochitona spp./others
- Common acorn barnacles – Balanus glandula/Chthamalus dalli/fissus
- Giant green anemone – Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- Hermit crabs – Pagurus spp.
- Honeycomb tube worm – Phragmatopoma californica
- Limpets – Lottia spp.
- Leaf barnacle – Pollicipes polymerus
- Ochre sea star – Pisaster ochraceus
- Owl limpet – Lottia gigantea
- Pink acorn barnacle – Tetraclita rubescens
- Purple sea urchin – Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
- Sea mussel – Mytilus californianus
- Sunburst anemone – Anthopleura sola
- Turban snails – Tegula brunnea/funebralis
- Whelks – Acanthinucella spp./Nucella spp.
- * Broken back shrimps – Heptacarpus spp.
- * Bat star – Patiria miniata
- * Brooding anemone – Epiactis prolifera
- * Six-armed star – Leptasterias hexactis
- * Yellow introduced sponge – Hymeniacidon spp.
- We also monitor:
- Bare rock
- Loose sand
- Tar (petroleum)
Giant Green Anemone(Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
- Description:
- Large, solitary anemone up to 25 cm in diameter (10 inches), same size as sunburst anemone or larger; olive-green to bluish green disc without radiating lines; small irregular tubercles arranged haphazardly on column gives this beautiful creature a velvet-like texture.
- Distribution:
- Alaska to northern Baja California.
- Habitat:
- Usually in pools within or below mussel beds, low intertidal to subtidal; found on exposed rocky shores, in open bays and harbors.
- Diet:
- Mainly detached mussels, crabs, sea urchins and small fishes. Also possess symbiotic algae within their tissues that provide supplimental nourishment and oxygen. The striking bluish-green color is caused by pigments produced by the animals themselves, not the algae, which in California are golden brown in color (farther north some specimens have grass-green algae in their tissues).
- Fun Fact:
- Stinging cells called cnidocytes are located within the tentacles of all anemones. These cells help the anemone to paralyze its prey; however, stinging cells of California anemones do not harm humans when touched, but those of some tropical species cause painful stings.
- Reason for Monitoring:
- This is a northern species. Though it occurs from Alaska to northern Baja California, it is restricted to upwelling areas in the southern part of its range. Distribution of this species may shift farther north if global warming continues. Major space competitor and predator, associated with mussels.
- References:
- Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.