Actiniaria of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean. II. Sagartiidae and Metridiidae.

On the biogeography of the southwest Atlantic with special reference to the sea anemones (Coelenterata: Actiniaria).

In September 1993, 26 live specimens of the small, delicate sea anemone Haliplanella luciae (Verrill, 1898) were sampled from the hull of a ship docked in Hamburg Harbour. After a worldwide journey the ship had passed into the freshwater region of the river Elbe. Although the migratory potential of the species (supposed home region is Japan) is well known, its transport on ships' bottoms has never been documented. Behavioural traits enabling the anemone to settle on ships are discussed together with probable reasons why Haliplanella luciae did not establish itself in the fauna of the German Bight.