Stichodactyla

Description of the Genus Stichodactyla

The genus Stichodactyla was first described by the French naturalist Henri Milne-Edwards in 1857. Milne-Edwards was a leading zoologist and botanist who contributed much to the classification of marine organisms.

The name Stichodactyla is derived from the Greek, where “sticho” means “row” or “line” and “dactyla” means “fingers”. This refers to the arranged tentacles of the sea anemones within this genus, which are often arranged in distinct lines or rows.

Largest and Smallest Species

– Largest Species: The largest species within this genus is the Stichodactyla gigantea, which can reach a diameter of about 80 centimeters.
– Smallest Species: The smallest species is the Stichodactyla tapetum, which has a diameter of about 5 to 10 centimeters.

Characteristics of the Genus Stichodactyla
Stichodactyla species are sea anemones distinguished by their large, flat disks and short, dense tentacles. They often have a symbiotic relationship with Clownfish, which seek shelter among their tentacles. Unlike some other genera within the same family, Stichodactyla species tend to be firmly attached to the substrate and are less mobile.

Number of Valid Species

Within the genus Stichodactyla, there are currently six valid species recognized.

– Stichodactyla gigantea
– Stichodactyla haddoni
– Stichodactyla helianthus
– Stichodactyla mertensii
– Stichodactyla tapetum
– Stichodactyla variabilis

This description provides an overview of the genus Stichodactyla, highlighting their unique characteristics and the variety of species within the genus.