Ectosymbionts of the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla Gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia

Hayes, Floyd E.; Painter, Brandon J. (2016-04-30). "Ectosymbionts of the Sea Anemone Stichodactyla Gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia". Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity. 한국동물분류학회. 32 (2): 112–117. doi:10.5635/ASED.2016.32.2.112.

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Abstract: We studied the ectosymbionts associating with the sea anemone Stichodactyla gigantea at Kosrae, Micronesia. Ectosymbionts of seven species associated with 60.7% of S. gigantea (n=28), with a mean of 2.4 per anemone and 3.9 per occupied anemone. Anemones hosting one or more ectosymbionts did not differ significantly in size from anemones lacking ectosymbionts and there was no significant correlation between anemone size and the number of ectosymbionts. Of 67 ectosymbionts observed, the sea cucumber Stichopus vastus comprised 23.9%, followed by the shrimp Thor amboinensis (20.9%), unidentified hermit crabs (Paguroidea; 20.9%), the cardinalfish Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus (20.9%), the shrimp Periclimenes brevicarpalis (9.0%), the sea cucumber Holothuria hilla (3.0%), and an unidentified brachyuran crab (1.5%). This study documents the first records of S. vastus, H. hilla, and O. novemfasciatus associating with S. gigantea, and the first locality records of S. gigantea, T. amboinensis, P. brevicarpalis, and S. vastus for Kosrae. Because humans often harvest S. gigantea for food at Kosrae, we recommend protecting the symbiotic assemblage of S. gigantea by establishing a sustainable system of harvesting.

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MAG: 2345934935
OpenAlex: W2345934935
QID: Q113406872