New Species Venomous Tiger Anemone with 96 Arms Turns Throat Inside Out to Catch Prey - Singapore

In Singapore, researchers discovered a new species with 96 arms. To capture food, this venomous tiger anemone maneuvers its throat inside out.

Venomous New Species: Tiger Anemone

A venomous marine creature unfurled its 96 arms on a Singaporean beach that was partially covered in sand. It was presumably swimming close by while it awaited a meal.

Instead, scientists who were passing by noticed the multicolored animal and identified a new species.

According to Nicholas Yap, a group of local citizen scientists originally came across the animal more than ten years ago. They brought it to Daphne Fautin, a scientist, who thought it might be a new species.

Yap and a group of researchers were intrigued by the concept and began their investigation.

In search of sea anemones, they combed Singapore's northern coast.

According to the study, during high tide, researchers discovered striped sea anemones in the shallow water with their tentacles extended out.

Researchers discovered the exposed animals at low tide with their necks covering the rest of their bodies, turning them inside out.

29 samples of the animal were taken and analyzed, and the researchers set to work trying to identify it.

Researchers realized they had uncovered a new species after they searched through archives of recognized sea anemones and compared them to the unknown organisms.

This new species is called Macrodactyla fautinae, or the tiger anemone.

96 Arms and Reversible Throat

According to the study, the tiger anemone has a cylindrical form that can measure slightly over three inches across. It has 96 arms or tentacles that are "smooth" and have a striped brown and white pattern.

The core body of the sea anemone is cream with pink lumps that resemble warts. When the animal contracts, these bumps might release water in a manner like a watering can.

The tiger anemone's capacity to turn its throat inside-out is another unique habit, one that has perplexed biologists.

Yap acknowledged that they don't know why it behaves that way, but they assume that it's to catch prey.

Tiger anemones have stinging devices along their throats, which become visible when they are turned inside out.

Co-author Ria Tan posted a picture of a tiger anemone sitting in this position on Facebook.

Can Eat Larger Prey Whole

The tiger anemone has the ability to swallow entire considerably larger prey. One such catch is shown in another image that Tan posted.

A sea pen, according to Yap, was the prey. Sea anemones are venomous and capable of stinging, just like other cnidarians, an animal classification that also includes jellyfish.

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When a species of sea anemone has stingers that resemble batteries, it hurts more, according to Yap.

Since the tiger anemone doesn't have these "batteries," its sting may not be that painful, but because so little is known about this anemone, it is still unclear whether it is dangerous to humans.

According to the study, tiger anemones are "solitary" organisms that frequently inhabit sand or silty environments. Only Singapore's northern coast has seen the discovery of the new species.

The tiger anemone's common name alludes to "its stripey tentacles" and hunting prowess, according to Yap.

Before its scientific discovery, Singaporeans called the creature a "tiger anemone" and a "purple-lip sand anemone." Based on the body type, size, coloring, behavior, and DNA, it was determined that it was unique from other anemones and was a new species.