Spatial distribution of symbiotic shrimps (Periclimenes holthuisi, P. brevicarpalis, Thor amboinensis) on the sea anemone Stichodactyla haddoni

Abstract

This study investigated the spatial distribution patterns of three shrimp species, Periclimenes holthuisi, P. brevicarpalis, and Thor amboinensis on the sea anemone Stichodactyla haddoni in the laboratory. Anemones were partitioned into ¢ve zones (mouth, inner tentacle, outer tentacle, upper column, and lower column), and shrimp distribution on these zones was determined. Regardless of species, signi¢cantly higher numbers of shrimps chose outer tentacles (440%) over other zones during daytime. Such distribution might be attributed to their feeding practices as these crustaceans clipped and ate parts of the outer tentacles. Periclimenes holthuisi also showed varying temporal distribution patterns on their hosts. At night when anemones contracted their tentacles, shrimp moved in signi¢cant numbers from the outer tentacle region either to the column or o¡ the anemones. Shrimps returned to the tentacles during daytime when anemones expanded their tentacles. Thus, spatial and temporal distribution of shrimps depend upon their feeding activities and degree of anemone expansion.

A new species of sea anemone (Anthozoa: Actiniaria) from the Sea of Japan: <i>Cribrinopsis japonica</i> sp. nov.

“…Since the living specimens of C. japonica sp. nov. were observed to allow the deep-sea shrimp to reside on their bodies without harm in the laboratory, the two organisms may coexist without conflict in their natural environment, as also occurs with C. fernaldi (see Anderson 2000;Stevens and Anderson 2000), C. olegi (see Sanamyan & Sanamyan, 2006) and other sea anemones (Guo et al 1996;Khan et al 2004).…”

First records of the sea anemones Stichodactyla tapetum andStichodactyla haddoni (Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Stichodactylidae)from the southeast of Iran, Chabahar (Sea of Oman)

“…Average size of S. haddoni ranges from 300 to 500 mm and rarely more (Dunn, 1981;Fautin and Allen, 1992;Katwate and Sanjeevi, 2011); this size in the current study was 250-400 mm. Further reports have been presented about the species' ecology and biology (Hirose, 1985;Fautin, 1991;Khan et al, 2004) and distribution and taxonomy (Dunn, 1985;Fautin, 1988;Uchida and Soyama, 2001;Paulay et al, 2003).…”

Towards a review of the decapod crustacea from the remote oceanic archipelago of Trindade and Martin Vaz, south Atlantic Ocean: new records and notes on ecology and zoogeography

“…and the spider crab Mithrax sp. (Nizinski, 1989;Guo et al, 1996;Khan et al, 2004). During daytime T. amboinensis was found associated with the tentacles of the sea anemone Stychodactyla and was observed to consume host tentacles and mucus, whereas during nighttime, when the anemone contracted its tentacles, the shrimp moved either to the column or away from the anemone (Khan et al, 2004).…”

“…(Nizinski, 1989;Guo et al, 1996;Khan et al, 2004). During daytime T. amboinensis was found associated with the tentacles of the sea anemone Stychodactyla and was observed to consume host tentacles and mucus, whereas during nighttime, when the anemone contracted its tentacles, the shrimp moved either to the column or away from the anemone (Khan et al, 2004). Adults of T. amboinensis certainly have mechanisms to counter the sting nematocysts of its cnidarian host (see Nizinski, 1989), however, in laboratory conditions the sea anemone Antheopsis papillosa was observed consuming larvae of T. amboinensis (Sarver, 1979).…”