The Waratah sea anemone, Actinia tenebrosa is the most obvious anemone on Sydney's rocky shores, easily known by its red color. It is named after the beautiful red Waratah flower that is the emblem of New South Wales.The Waratah Anemone is named after the red Waratah Flower that is a native to New South Wales. It is also known as the Cherry Anemone. This Anemone can be identified by the small size, the brown and red colour. These anemones live on the intertidal rocky shores. These Anemones are found throughout southern Australia. The size range of these waratah anemones are 4cm.
At low tide, it looks like a small red blob on crevices near rock pools. In this state, it has all its tentacles drawn in to minimise its exposure …show more content…
Increasing water temperature because of climate change will likely affect their abundance and cause a southward shift in their distribution.
The waratah anemone and the photosynthetic algae have a mutualistic relationship. Mutualism is a symbiotic relationship between individuals of different species in which both individuals benefit from the association. Both organisms of either species rely on one another for nutrients, protection and other life functions, hence they are usually found living in a small radius. The Waratah anemone, in exchange for providing the algae safe harbor and contact to sunlight, the anemone receives oxygen and sugar, the bi-products of the algae's photosynthesis. The sea anemone benefits from the products of the algae's photosynthesis, namely oxygen and food in the form of glycerol, glucose and alanine, the algae are guaranteed a consistent exposure to sunlight and protection from micro-feeders, which the anemones actively maintain. The algae also benefit by being protected due to the existence of stinging cells called nematocysts, reducing the likelihood of being eaten by