AGGRESSIVE FUNCTION AND INDUCED DEVELOPMENT OF CATCH TENTACLES IN THE SEA ANEMONEMETRIDIUM SENILE(COELENTERATA, ACTINIARIA)

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Abstract
Catch tentacles are large opaque tentacles in the circle of tentacles nearest the mouth in some specimens of M. senile. They can inflate to several times resting size. While inflated, they extend and retract, repeatedly touching the tip to their surroundings. Catch tentacles functioned in intra- and interspecific aggression, and not in feeding. Feeding tentacle-tip contact between previously isolated anemones stimulated inflation of catch tentacles. Catch tentacle nematocysts discharged specifically when the tip of an inflated catch tentacle contacted an anemone not of the same clone. Necrosis ensued where the tentacle tip attached. Rarely death followed. Specimens on Monterey Wharf [California, USA] pilings with catch tentacles occurred along borders separating distinct clones of anemones, and where anemones differing in appearance adjoined. Development of catch tentacles was induced in specimens previously lacking them by causing repeated interactions between members of 2 clones through prolonged close confinement. The transformation of feeding tentacles into catch tentacles was documented by the progressive changeover in nematocyst types. Aggression is emerging as an important factor in space competition in several clonal and colonial Anthozoans.

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