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Had me fooled	Metridium senile
	(A Uv monitor spp??) see below

Saw a ‘colorless’/ white anemone in a upper level tide pool

ITIS (taxonomy) and ITIS Offsite links

I thought found something – like a new species – or at least an Anthopleura anemone that had lost its color – like reported to happen when changing types of endosymiont algae

But some professionals suggested Metridium as more likely – and they were right

Different angle—fully open

While not good photograph – the image is unmistakably Metridium senile --- Another day at same pool, and recently after the tide has lowered so swells no longer filling pool.

At times I think this white fellow moves around --- appears to hide (from sunshine?) under the ledge its now on

White Form telling us something?

“Effects of long-term ultraviolet radiation: the white form of Metridium senile as a potential biologic indicator” recent Journal article

Maybe I was right --- the white form was worth noting --- strong ultraviolet radiation selects this form over the more common colored form found lower in intertidal --- and changes in ratios could be telling us increased radiation with global warming etc


	Here is a U of Ottawa lab course that uses this easily obtained species for a dissection – words are in French – but diagrams are still useful

Created by LG on OCT/17/2005

Last updated on Wednesday, October 19, 2005

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Metridium senile