Diet

• Bunodosoma species are carnivorous sea anemones that capture small marine animals using nematocysts in their tentacles.

• Their prey consists primarily of small crustaceans, molluscs, worms and other marine invertebrates that come within reach of the tentacles.

• Food is immobilized by the stinging cells and transferred toward the central mouth by movements of the tentacles and oral disc.

Range

• Bunodosoma occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical coastal waters of the Americas.

• Species are known from the western Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, as well as the tropical eastern Pacific.

• The genus is represented along the coast of Guerrero and occurs in the Zihua region.

Habitat

• Bunodosoma species typically inhabit rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal environments.

• They occur on rocks, beneath stones, in crevices, in tide pools and on other firm substrates where the pedal disc can remain securely attached.

• Many individuals occupy relatively protected locations that remain moist or submerged during much of the tidal cycle.

• Their muscular bodies allow them to contract strongly when exposed during low tide, helping reduce water loss and protect the tentacles.

Description

• Bunodosoma species are robust sea anemones with a broad pedal disc, cylindrical column and expanded oral disc surrounded by numerous tentacles.

• One of the characteristic features of the genus is the presence of numerous rounded or wart-like vesicles covering much of the column.

• These vesicles are generally arranged in longitudinal rows and may be particularly prominent toward the upper portion of the body.

• The marginal region bears specialised structures known as acrorhagi, which contain concentrations of nematocysts and are used in interactions with neighbouring anemones.

• Colouration is highly variable and may include shades of brown, green, olive, grey, orange, red or combinations of these colours.

• The tentacles are relatively short and numerous, forming several concentric cycles around the mouth.

• When disturbed or exposed at low tide, the tentacles and oral disc can be completely withdrawn, leaving a compact, rounded body covered by the conspicuous columnar vesicles.