Anthopleura mariae sp. nov. (Cnidaria: Actiniaria: Actiniidae), a new species of sea anemone from the Mexican Pacific

Abstract

Anthopleura mariae sp. nov. is a new species of sea anemone (Actiniaria: Actiniidae) from the rocky intertidal of Punta Morro, Baja California, and Punta Eugenia Baja California Sur, México. This species is characterized by a column with verrucae arranged in longitudinal rows from margin to limbus with a red spot atop each verruca, as well as the presence of more than two siphonoglyphs and the lack of directive mesenteries. Differences between Anthopleura mariae sp. nov. with other species of the genus are discussed. This is the sixth species of Anthopleura documented for the Mexican Pacific.