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A rare deepwater anemone and its associates in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (Gulf of Maine, north-west Atlantic)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2011

P.J. Auster ,
K.B. Heinonen ,
L. Watling ,
C. Parrish-Kuhn ,
E. Heupel  and
J. Lindholm
P.J. Auster*
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Sciences and Northeast Undersea Research Technology & Education Center, University of Connecticut Groton, CT 06340, USA
K.B. Heinonen
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Sciences and Northeast Undersea Research Technology & Education Center, University of Connecticut Groton, CT 06340, USA
L. Watling
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, 2538 McCarthy Mall, Edmondson Hall 152, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
C. Parrish-Kuhn
Affiliation:
Division of Science and Environmental Policy and Institute for Applied Marine Ecology, California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA 93955, USA
E. Heupel
Affiliation:
Department of Marine Sciences and Northeast Undersea Research Technology & Education Center, University of Connecticut Groton, CT 06340, USA
J. Lindholm
Affiliation:
Division of Science and Environmental Policy and Institute for Applied Marine Ecology, California State University Monterey Bay, Seaside, CA 93955, USA
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: P.J. Auster, Department of Marine Sciences and Northeast Undersea Research Technology & Education Center, University of Connecticut Groton, CT 06340, USA email: peter.auster@uconn.edu
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Abstract

Here we report direct underwater observations of the pom pom anemone Liponema multicornis at sites in the western Gulf of Maine. The paucity of records from historic collections as well as recent studies suggest this species is widespread but numerically rare across the region. We found this species hosts high numbers of the commensal amphipod Stenothoe brevicornis amongst the tentacles. In addition, pandalid shrimp were observed using the anemone for shelter by occupying space around the distal edges of the tentacles and as a food source by feeding on bits of mucous. Krill were also observed feeding on amphipods occurring amongst the tentacles. A long history of using bottom contact fishing gear in the region may have reduced abundance, thereby reducing the functional role of L. multicornis as a source for refuge and prey of several crustacean species.

Keywords

functional rolecommensalremotely operated vehicleamphipodshrimpshelter
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 4 , December 2011 , e19
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2011

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References

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