Branching anemone (Lebrunia neglecta)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Lebrunia neglecta
- Common name
- Branching anemone
- Category
- Cnidarians
- Family
- Aliciidae
- Genus
- Lebrunia
- Size
- 10–30 cm
- Depth
- 3–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean
Description
Lebrunia neglecta reaches 30 cm diameter. Caribbean anemone (Aliciidae) with central disc brown to gray, particular by its double crown: branching pseudo-tentacles khaki-brown to olive-green evoking algae tuft mimicking Padina or Dictyota deployed by day for photosynthesis (zooxanthellae), and true urticating tentacles deployed at night for prey capture. Lives from 3 to 30 m on Caribbean coral and rocky reefs. Can inflict stinging burns. Sometimes hosts shrimp (Periclimenes). Unusual dive photo subject, often mistaken for a plant by inexperienced divers.
Photo of Branching anemone
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Branching anemone?
- Branching anemone (Lebrunia neglecta) reaches 10–30 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Branching anemone?
- Branching anemone is found between 3–30 m deep.
- Is the Branching anemone dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Branching anemone?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Branching anemone?
- Found in: Caribbean, Eastern Pacific, Mediterranean.
Other species in the family Aliciidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 742298)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5184207)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia