Trumpet anemone

Appearance

''Aiptasia mutabilis'' is typically trumpet shaped. It can grow to be 12 cm tall, with the column can have a diameter of 3 cm near the base and 6 cm at the mouth of the organism. The tall column is not segmented, and flares outward to a broad oral disc. The tentacles of ''A. mutabilis'' are shorter in length at the base, and they grow to be finer as you travel towards the end. The inner tentacles tend to be longer than the ones found towards the outside, and each organism can have up to 100 tentacles. ''A. mutabilis,'' like other members of the genus ''Aiptasia ,'' have specialized stinging cells called nematocysts on their tentacles. When the column of the organism is well extended, small perforations, called cinclides, can be observed, while the lower half of the column has numerous verrucae, which act as adhesive spots to help secure the organism to the substrate. Typically, ''A. mutabilis''is a brownish color with areas that are opaque white. The tentacles are usually brown towards the bottom and turn lighter towards the tips. They can also have blue or green colors radiating throughout their body.

Distribution

''Aiptasia mutabilis'' is usually seen in colder waters. It is typically found adhered to substrates, beneath overhangs, on walls, or on rocks deep under the sea surface. The greatest depth ''A. mutabilis'' has been found adhered to substrate was 100m below sea level. This species typically stays in shower waters, usually at a depth of up to 50 below the surface. It has been found in the Atlantic ocean, from Ireland to the Canary Islands, along with being found in the Adriatic, Greek Aegean, and Mediterranean seas.

Habitat

''Aiptasia mutabilis'' is usually seen in colder waters. It is typically found adhered to substrates, beneath overhangs, on walls, or on rocks deep under the sea surface. The greatest depth ''A. mutabilis'' has been found adhered to substrate was 100m below sea level. This species typically stays in shower waters, usually at a depth of up to 50 below the surface. It has been found in the Atlantic ocean, from Ireland to the Canary Islands, along with being found in the Adriatic, Greek Aegean, and Mediterranean seas.

Reproduction

''Aiptasia mutabilis'' has been known to reproduce both asexually and sexually. Although both methods are used, asexual reproduction has been most commonly seen in this species. To reproduce asexually, the anemone splits the column and separates. These two separate parts will adhere to a substrate and individuals will begin to develop from these smaller amounts of tissue from the original individual. This species can be infective, due to the speed at which they can reproduce, and for this reason they are not very popular aquarium anemones. Any tissue could potentially turn into an individual, making them quite prominent in the areas where they are found. To get from zygote to its adult life stage, ''A mutabilis'' will undergo metamorphosis. This beings with the morphogenesis of tentacles, septa, and pharynx. From here the larva settles and develops into its adult form.