Corynactis californica , commonly known as ‘strawberry anemone‘ or ‘club-tipped anemone‘, is a species of anthozoan belonging to the family Corynactidae within the order Corallimorpharia. The name Corynactis comes from the Greek ‘koryne‘, meaning club, and ‘aktis‘, meaning ray, alluding to the radial arrangement of the tentacles. The epithet ‘californica‘ refers to the geographic region of its discovery and main distribution: the Pacific coast of North America, particularly from southern Alaska to Baja California. It is found in rocky marine habitats, from the intertidal zone to depths of approximately 40 meters, generally in shaded areas or underwater caves, where currents provide a constant flow of water and nutrients. It is a quite frequent species to observe in kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera y Eisenia arborea).
Corynactis californica is a colonial anthozoan, but unlike true corals, it does not produce a calcareous skeleton. Its morphology is relatively small, with individual polyps measuring between 1 and 2 centimeters in diameter, although in dense colonies they can cover large areas of rock or hard substrates. Each polyp has a central oral disc surrounded by short, bulbous tentacles, which exhibit vibrant and varied coloration, ranging from red, pink, orange, to purple and white, with distinctive tips that may be of a different color than the main tentacle. This unique coloration and tentacle shape allows it to be differentiated from similar species, such as Corynactis viridis, which tends to have more elongated tentacles and more uniform coloration. The texture of the tentacles, with their spherical ends or ‘globes’, is a distinctive feature that facilitates the identification of this species. The tentacles cannot be fully retracted into the body of the animal.
In terms of feeding, Corynactis californica is an active predator that uses its tentacles loaded with nematocysts (stinging cells) to capture small invertebrates such as copepods, crustacean larvae, and zooplankton. It can also feed on small fish and other marine organisms that become trapped in its tentacles. Its feeding strategy involves passively waiting for the current to bring in its prey, which are trapped and paralyzed upon contact with the stinging tentacles. After capturing the prey, the tentacles transport it to the oral disc, where it is ingested and digested.
Reproduction of Corynactis californica can be either sexual or asexual. Sexual reproduction occurs by the release of gametes into the water, where external fertilization takes place. The resulting planctotrophic larvae swim freely in the water column before settling on a suitable substrate and developing into young polyps. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, occurs primarily by longitudinal fission, a process in which a polyp divides in two, forming new individuals that then become part of the colony. This method of asexual reproduction allows Corynactis californica to rapidly expand its territory under favorable conditions.
An interesting curiosity about Corynactis californica is its territorial and aggressive behavior towards other marine organisms. Colonies of Corynactis californica are often observed to ‘fight’ with other species of anthozoans or invertebrates to gain space on the rocky substrate, using their stinging tentacles to deter or even harm their competitors. This competition for space is crucial in rocky marine environments, where resources are limited and space for settlement is at a premium. In addition, due to its color diversity and ability to form dense mats, Corynactis californica plays an important role in the ecology of rocky reefs, providing shelter and habitat for diverse marine species.
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