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An analysis of the nematocysts of the beadlet anemone Actinia equina and the green sea anemone Actinia prasina

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2000

Phillip C. Watts ,
A. Louise Allcock ,
Sean M. Lynch  and
John P. Thorpe
Phillip C. Watts
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man, IM9 6JA, U.K. Laboratory 1.03, Donnan Laboratories, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZD, U.K., E-mail: p.c. watts@liv.ac.uk
A. Louise Allcock
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man, IM9 6JA, U.K. National Museums of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, U.K.
Sean M. Lynch
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man, IM9 6JA, U.K.
John P. Thorpe
Affiliation:
Port Erin Marine Laboratory, School of Biological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Port Erin, Isle of Man, IM9 6JA, U.K.
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Abstract

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Numerous studies of their population genetics have reported incipient reproductive isolation among sympatric populations of the common intertidal beadlet anemone Actinia equina. This has lead to certain morphs being raised to specific status. A study of the nematocysts of the green sea anemone Actinia prasina and three genetically isolated morphs of A. equina was undertaken to establish that mean nematocyst length could act as diagnostic phenotypic characters within a morphologically variable group. The results support genetic and ecological evidence for the specific status of the three red/brown coloured morphs of A. equina. The data are discussed with respect to the ecology of Actinia and concepts of species, but more work is required before the specific status of A. prasina can be confirmed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 80 , Issue 4 , August 2000 , pp. 719 - 724
Copyright
2000 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom