The clownfish-hosting sea anemones (Anthozoa: Actiniaria): updated nomenclature, biogeography, and practical field guide

The clownfish-hosting sea anemones (Anthozoa: Actiniaria): updated nomenclature, biogeography, and practical field guide
Zootaxa 5506 (1): 1–34 (2024)

This study provides the first comprehensive update in decades to the taxonomy and biogeography of the ten known sea anemone species that host clownfishes across the Indo-West Pacific. Combining historical literature, modern nomenclatural revisions, and extensive underwater photography, we produced a practical field guide to improve species-level identifications.

The paper also explores the limitations of using machine learning for anemone recognition, emphasizing the continued importance of organismal expertise. By clarifying valid species names and documenting their phenotypic variation and global ranges, this work aims to strengthen ecological and evolutionary studies of the anemone–anemonefish symbiosis.

Link to paper: https://mapress.com/zt/article/view/zootaxa.5506.1.1