Diadumene crocata (Sea Anemones of New Zealand)

Diadumene crocata

Description ¹

Habitat
Column
Oral disc
Tentacles
Distribution

Edited version of : Art. XXXII. - Contributions to the Cœlenterate Fauna of New Zealand
Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 1 January 1879
By Professor F. W. Hutton, of the Otago University

Diactis, gen. nov.

Column smooth, divided into two portions, of which the upper is retractile into the lower. Tentacles numerous, subulate, arranged in many rows.

This new genus belongs to the family Antheadæ. Actinia nivea, Lesson (Voy. Coquille, Zoology, chap. xiv., p. 81, pl. III., f. 8), from Peru, probably belongs to it.

D. crocata, sp. nov.Column: Lower portion longer than broad, expanded at the base, contracted in the middle, pale yellowish brown with numerous white longitudinal streaks; upper portion shorter and narrower than the lower, yellowish orange, very faintly streaked with lighter, and getting brown towards the disc. Disc expanded, as broad as the lower portion of the column, circular, concave, yellow-orange. Tentacles numerous, half the diameter of the disc in length, and of the same colour. Mouth small, elongated, white.

Port Chalmers, a single specimen on Boltenia australis.

The body of this animal varies remarkably in form, and is constantly changing its shape. When normally expanded the column is about an inch long. The tentacles are not very sensitive, but can be retracted with the upper part of the column into the lower part.

References ¹

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