Redescription and biology of Stenothoe brevicornis Sars (Amphipoda: Crustacea), an obligate associate of the sea anemone Actinostola callosa (Verrill)

Abstract

The amphipod Stenothoe brevicornis Sars, 1883 (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Stenothoidae) is redescribed using material from the Tromsø area, northern Norway. It is characterized by a reduced armament of antennae and legs and very small secondary sexual differences. S. brevicornis is an obligate and host-specific associate of the actiniid sea anemone Actinostola callosa (Verrill). The amphipods spend their entire life-cycle among the tentacles of their host and feed mostly on host tissue. A short review of associations involving Stenothoe species is given. Most species live among hydroid polyps or algae, a few i or on sponges, ascidians, hydro-corals, and sea anemones.

Keywords :

• Amphipod/sea anemone association
• taxonomy
• biology