Gigantic Anemone Species in the Deep ‘Churaumi’—Description of a New Species of the Genus <i>Telmatactis</i> (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Metridioidea), <i>Telmatactis profundigigantica</i> sp. nov.

Abstract

Although the members of the genus Telmatactis Gravier, 1916 have been reported from broad area of the world including Japanese waters, the localities of the species have been limited to shallow areas. In this study, we report a new species in this genus, Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov., collected from the deeper area than 200 m of the East China Sea off Okinawa Island, discovered by ROV, and taken care of in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This new species is chiefly characterized by its comparatively huge size of its body, over 10 cm in diameter and height, far larger than the other known species of this genus. Moreover, this species has characteristic multiple-headed tentacles and large cnidae in its acrospheres. In the present article, we also discuss the severe toxicity of this species and touch on the ecology of deep-sea anemones.