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A NEW SPECIES OF SHELL-FORMING SEA ANEMONE FROM AUSTRALIA

A NEW SPECIES OF SHELL-FORMING SEA ANEMONE FROM AUSTRALIA. Andrea L. Crowther Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Overview. Associations between hermit crabs and anemones occur in nature Hermit crab and Stylobates Described species of Stylobates

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A NEW SPECIES OF SHELL-FORMING SEA ANEMONE FROM AUSTRALIA

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  1. A NEW SPECIES OF SHELL-FORMING SEA ANEMONE FROM AUSTRALIA Andrea L. Crowther Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

  2. Overview • Associations between hermit crabs and anemones occur in nature • Hermit crab and Stylobates • Described species of Stylobates • New species found from Australia

  3. Hermit crab and anemones • Hermit crabs live in abandoned snail shells • Anemones attach to shell • Crabs change shells as grow, sometimes transfer anemones • From shallow tropical areas to deep sea • General dynamics of relationships http://www.divegallery.com/hermit_crab2.htm

  4. Stylobates • Deep sea (300-1000 m) • Always host to hermit crab • Obligate symbiosis for anemone • Shell-forming! • One anemone per crab

  5. For the crab Protection Shell to live in Long term accommodation For the anemone Transport Food availability Benefits for the symbionts

  6. The shell • Carcinoecium • Chitinous secretion • Anemone coats and extends hermit crab’s shell • Mistaken for a snail’s shell http://s190418054.onlinehome.us/portal/2003/0312mon.pdf

  7. Co-evolution ? www.es.ucl.ac.uk/schools/Glossary/gastropod.jpg www.glaucus.org.uk/Hermit4.htm www.aqualandpetsplus.com.Bug.%20Hermit%20Crabs.htm

  8. Stylobates aeneus • Original description of shell • Anemone discarded! • Location: Hawaii and Guam (Pacific Ocean) • 402-797 m deep

  9. Stylobates distribution Stylobates aeneus; Stylobates cancrisocia; Stylobates loisetteae; Stylobates n.sp.

  10. Stylobates cancrisocia • Location: East Africa (Indian Ocean) • 818 m deep • 3 specimens

  11. Stylobates loisetteae • Location: west coast of Australia • 320-508 m deep • Wide oral disc • Oral disc position

  12. A new species • Location: north east Australia • 680-960 m deep • 10 specimens • Size ranging from 5-9 cm length • Study of morphology

  13. Species comparisons

  14. Review • Stylobates anemones are found in the deep sea • Form associations with hermit crabs • Produce carcinoecium • New species found from north east coast of Australia

  15. Acknowledgments • Supervisors: • Dr. Daphne Fautin (KU) • Dr. Carden Wallace (MTQ, Australia) • Collectors: • Dr. Alistair Birtles (JCU, Australia) • The late Dr. Peter Arnold (MTQ, Australia) • Sigma Xi • Questions?

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