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Burrowing Anemone

Distribution : Mediterranean · Atlantic Ocean

In Greek mythology, Parthenope is a Siren whose song fails to draw Odysseus away from his voyage. One tradition carries her final journey to the shores of the Bay of Naples, where her name became entwined with the city's history. The burrowing anemone received a species name recalling this mythological figure in the nineteenth century. Beneath the sea, this large anemone usually reveals little more than its crown of tentacles, with its body deeply embedded in soft sediment.

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Habitat of Burrowing Anemone Habitat
Detrital bottom, Gravel, Sand
Depth range of Burrowing Anemone Depth
6-60 m
Biological group of Burrowing Anemone Group
Ecological role of Burrowing Anemone Role
Predator

Average size

25 cm

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Around the edge of the burrowing anemone (Andresia parthenopea), tentacles spread flat; nearer the centre, they stand upright. Several rings surround the mouth on the oral disc, the anemone’s upper surface.

The body mainly reveals this disc. It may be very pale or brown, while the contrasting tentacle positions add depth to the outline.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

Sand and muddy-sand seabeds form the habitat of the burrowing anemone. Its column remains buried directly in sediment, without the protective tube of a tube anemone. It occurs in the Mediterranean and north-east Atlantic from shallow water to several tens of metres.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

When prey is held by the burrowing anemone’s tentacles, their stinging cells can immobilise it before it is moved towards the central mouth. These stages distinguish an actual capture from an anemone simply holding its tentacles open. Feeding depends on taking animals within reach rather than continuously filtering water.

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Burrowing Anemone

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Other species — Cnidarian

Tube-dwelling anemone Feather hydroid Dead man's fingers Gray sea pen Hermit anemone Golden anemone Solitary tube anemone Gold Coral

Same habitat and depth

Detrital seabed species Gravel seabed species Sandy seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Predatory species

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