Calliactis parasitica

Calliactis parasitica
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Actiniaria
Family: Hormathiidae
Genus: Calliactis
Species:
C. parasitica
Binomial name
Calliactis parasitica
(Couch, 1844)
Synonyms [1]
List
  • Actinea parasitica
  • Actinia effeta
  • Actinia effoeta Linnaeus, 1767
  • Actinia parasitica Couch, 1842
  • Actinia priapus
  • Actinia rondeletii Delle Chiaje, 1828
  • Adamsia effta
  • Adamsia priapus
  • Calliactis effoeta
  • Calliactis effta Linnaeus
  • Calliactis polypus Klunzinger
  • Calliactis rondeletii (Delle Chiaje, 1828)
  • Calliactus parasitica
  • Cribrina effoeta Ehrenberg
  • Cylista parasitica (Couch, 1842)
  • Sagartia effaeta Linnaeus
  • Sagartia parasitica (Couch, 1842)
Paper collage on paper painted black of a Calliactis parasitica: parasitic anemone by Phillip Henry Gosse

Calliactis parasitica is a species of sea anemone associated with hermit crabs. It lives in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea at depths between the intertidal zone and 60 m (200 ft). It is up to 10 cm × 8 cm (3.9 in × 3.1 in) in size, with up to 700 tentacles, and is very variable in colour. The relationship between C. parasitica and the hermit crab is mutualistic: the sea anemone protects the hermit crab with its stings, and benefits from the food thrown up by the hermit crab's movements.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Anthozoa was invoked but never defined (see the help page).