Amplexidiscus
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
SPECIES
Amplexidiscus fenestrafer

Amplexidiscus fenestrafer, also known as the elephant ear anemone, is a species of coral belonging to the phylum Cnidaria. The name "elephant ear anemone" is a misnomer because it is actually a species of coral. It is the only species in the monotypic genus Amplexidiscus.

Appearance

The visible part of its body corresponds to its oral region and forms a flexible disc, when it is deployed, endowed with cone-shaped tentacles. Its diameter can reach 40 centimetres (16 in) and its coloration is light beige to brown.

Distribution

Geography

This coral is often forming small colony in 5–25 metres (16–82 ft) depth on the top reef in tropical waters Indo-West Pacific area.

Habits and Lifestyle

Diet and Nutrition

Its diet is highly varied and goes from the production of its zooxanthellae to numerous animals which find themselves trapped by the oral disk as benthic invertebrates, crustaceans, worms, echinoderms and even fishes. When the prey is trapped and the anemone is starting its digestion, the lobed edges are raised towards the center of the disk and form a ball.

Population

References

1. Amplexidiscus Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amplexidiscus

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