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.

Sunburst Anemone(Anthopleura sola)
Sunburst Anemone
Description:
This anemone is distinguished by the sunburst pattern of radiating lines on oral disk; most are 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) in crown diameter, but can reach up to 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter. Tentacles usually with white blotches, rarely pink-tipped; can be confused with giant green anemones because they are similar in size, but are distinguished by lines on disc and tubercles in rows on column. More difficult to distinguish from aggregating anemone as main difference is mode of growth: clonal versus solitary; recent genetic studies revealed that the two are separate species that do not interbreed.
Distribution:
Northern central California to central Baja California.
Habitat:
Often abundant on rocks surrounded by sand, mainly in lower mid zone extending well into the subtidal.
Diet:
Prey mainly on small crustaceans and other animals in the plankton, but also take dislodged mussels and other intertidal animals. Also possess symbiotic algae within their tissues that provide supplimental nourishment and oxygen.
Fun Fact:
Closely related to the aggregating anemone, this species was given its own name only recently. Up until then it was known as a form of aggregating anemone that lived in the low intertidal in southern California and did not clone, remaining solitary. There is another solitary sea anemone that looks similar, the giant greet anemone, that lives intertidally in the cooler waters of central and northern California but it lacks the conspicuous radiating lines on the oral disk.
Reason for Monitoring:
This is a southern species near its northern limit in central California. Their abundance in central and northern California is expected to increase if global warming continues. Major space competitor and predator.
References:
Biological Sciences: Santa Barbara City College
Morris, R.H., D.P. Abbott, and E.C. Haderlie. 1980. Intertidal Invertebrates of California. Stanford University Press, Stanford, California.
MaRINE: Multi-agency Rocky Intertidal Network
Pearse V. and Francis L. 2000. Anthopleura sola, new species, solitary sibling species to the aggregating sea anemone, A. elegantissima (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Actiniidae). Proc Biol Soc Washington 113: 596-608.