taxonID	type	description	language	source
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	description	(Figure 2, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 51 ’ 50.72 ” N, 86 ° 51 ’ 58.27 ” W; 6 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 23.0 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 22.18 ” W; 20 specimens); Xcalak (18 ° 15 ’ 54.37 ” N, 87 ° 50 ’ 2.63 ” W; 5 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc 5 – 20 mm in diameter (Figure 2 A). Oral disc 2 – 4 mm in diameter, translucent, mesenterial insertions visible (Figure 2 B). Tentacles 16 – 46, irregularly arranged, long, smooth, contractile, transparent with white dots along entire length; tentacles deciduous, with tentacular endodermal sphincter muscle at the base visible as an internal diaphragm-like structure perforated centrally (Figure 2 B, F). Column short, 2 – 7 mm in diameter and 3 – 10 mm in height, divided into capitulum and scapus (Figure 2 C). Capitulum smooth, short and narrow, translucent. Scapus wide with globular vesicles, white to greenish-brown (Figure 2 C). Pedal disc well developed, 4 – 7 mm in diameter, irregular limbus, greenish-brown and translucent towards center (Figure 2 D). Mesenteries irregularly arranged in two cycles (10 – 14 pairs in specimens examined) (Figure 2 E): both cycles fertile; more than six pairs of perfect mesenteries; gonochoric (?), only spermatic cysts in examined specimens. No distinct siphonoglyphs. Retractor muscles weak, diffuse; parietobasilar muscles not differentiated. Marginal sphincter and basilar muscles absent. Ectodermal longitudinal muscles in distal column. Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic p - amastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 2 G – P; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Bunodeopsis antilliensis is epiphytic on leaves of the seagrass Syringodium filiforme and Thalassia testudinum, between 0.5 – 6 m depth, in the lagoon-reef zone. The deciduous tentacles apparently are a defense reaction (Hyman 1940; Carlgren 1949). Tentacles and capitulum usually completely contracted during day, extended only at night to catch prey (Hyman 1940; Sebens & DeRiemer 1977; Cairns et al. 1986). In the Mexican Caribbean, the sting of this species has been reported as highly affecting swimmers (Milla et al. 2003).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Bunodeopsis antilliensis is found along the Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda to Curaçao (see Table 1). Although B. antilliensis is reported for the Mexican Caribbean in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos reefs (Milla et al. 2003; Jordán-Dahlgren 2008), this is the first time it is reported from Isla Contoy and Xcalak reefs.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB09FFAE88E5FBA7FE03FDFF.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Two of the five valid species of the genus Bunodeopsis have been recorded in the Caribbean Sea: B. antilliensis and B. pelagica (Quoy & Gaimard, 1833) (Fautin 2011). These species differ in a violet ring around the mouth in B. pelagica (Quoy & Gaimard 1833; Ocaña et al. 1991) absent in B. antilliensis. Viatrix globulifera (Duchassaing, 1850) has been used widely as synonym of Bunodeopsis globulifera (= B. antilliensis); however, no study so far has proven with certainty that V. globulifera belongs to the genus Bunodeopsis or any other genus (Andres 1883; McMurrich 1893; Verrill 1900; Duerden 1902 a; England 1987; Stephenson 1922; Carlgren 1949, 1952; Cutress 1979). According to Fautin (2011) the genus Viatrix Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860 is valid. Although Verrill (1900) described Bunodeopsis globulifera as a new species, if further studies prove that V. globulifera belongs to Bunodeopsis, the name B. antilliensis will have to be replaced by Bunodeopsis globulifera (Duchassaing, 1850).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB01FFAB88E5FCD4FD2AFC04.taxon	description	(Figure 3, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB01FFAB88E5FCD4FD2AFC04.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 54 ’ 26.38 ” N, 86 ° 50 ’ 43.14 ” W; 5 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 29 ’ 0.10 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 39.10 ” W; 5 specimens); Akumal (20 ° 23 ’ 37.03 ” N, 87 ° 18 ’ 44.51 ” W; 1 specimen).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB01FFAB88E5FCD4FD2AFC04.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and marginal ruff to 120 mm in diameter. Oral disc 15 – 45 mm in diameter, with white spots (Figure 3 B). Tentacles about 48, hexamerously arranged in four cycles, smooth, conical, tapering distally, moderately long, inner ones longer than outer ones, contractile, white, semi-transparent with scattered small circular white spots (Figure 3 B). Column more or less elongated, 20 – 65 mm in height and 15 – 30 mm in diameter, smooth but with small rows of verrucae distally (Figure 3 C, F). Above verrucae lies a marginal ruff (or collar) formed by 48 rows of small frond-like fused papillae, light brown or olive-green (Figure 3 A, B). Pedal disc well developed, 11 – 29 mm in diameter (Figure 3 D). Pedal disc and column beige, semi-transparent. Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in three cycles (24 pairs in specimens examined): first cycle (including directives) and some pairs of second cycle perfect and fertile, others imperfect and sterile; gonochoric (?), only oocytes in examined specimens (Figure 3 E); same number of mesenteries distally and proximally. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph. Retractor muscles strong and restricted; parietobasilar muscles well developed with a free mesogleal pennon (Figure 3 E). Basilar muscles well developed. Marginal sphincter muscle not developed (Figure 3 F). Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic pmastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 3 G – N; see Table 2). Natural history. — Actinostella flosculifera inhabits fields of the seagrasses Thalassia testudinum and Syringodium filiforme, often between 0.5 – 5 m depth, in areas of the lagoon-reef zone with low wave energy. It is usually found with the column burrowed, but the pedal disc is actually adhered to buried rocks, shells or rhizomes of seagrasses. During the day, the tentacles remain contracted and the marginal ruff fully expanded, allowing zooxanthellae (particularly abundant in this area) to capture sunlight; during night the situation is the opposite, allowing tentacles to capture food (Häussermann 2003). The marginal ruff is similar in color to dead leaves of seagrass, probably camouflaging this species.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB01FFAB88E5FCD4FD2AFC04.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — From Bermuda to Brazil, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1). Also reported in Canary Islands (Ocaña & den Hartog 2002) and the Gulf of Guinea (Wirtz 2003). This species is reported for the Mexican Caribbean in Punta Cancún, Punta Nizuc, and Isla Mujeres reefs (INE 1998 a), but this is the first time recorded for Puerto Morelos, Akumal, and Isla Contoy reefs.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB01FFAB88E5FCD4FD2AFC04.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Three of the 10 valid species of Actinostella have been recorded in the Caribbean Sea: A. flosculifera, A. radiata (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860), and A. variabilis (Hargitt, 1911) (Fautin 2011). According to McMurrich (1905), A. radiata resembles A. conchilega (= A. flosculifera) in its general appearance but differs perhaps in the number of tubercles on the fronds and the verrucae in each longitudinal row, and in the circumscribed endodermal sphincter; however, the distinction between A. radiata and A. flosculifera remains unclear and needs further revision. The specimens of A. variabilis (= Cradactis variabilis) showen in Hargitt’s (1911) description are actually specimens of Lebrunia coralligens (Wilson, 1890) and perhaps some young individuals of L. danae. The diagnosis of Actinostella mentions a strong to very weak circumscribed marginal sphincter muscle (Carlgren 1949; Häussermann 2003); however, like McMurrich (1905), we did not observe a distinct marginal sphincter muscle in the specimens examined. Further revision is needed to clarify the presence or absence of marginal sphincter in A. flosculifera.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	description	(Figure 4, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 55 ’ 39.13 ” N, 86 ° 49 ’ 58.93 ” W; 7 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 16.98 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 27.87 ” W; 2 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc to 100 mm in diameter. Oral disc 10 – 70 mm in diameter, smooth, flat, olive-green or reddish-brown (Figure 4 B). Tentacles 48 – 96, hexamerously arranged in four or five cycles, simple, conical, moderately long, 10 – 30 mm in length, smooth, tapering distally, inner ones longer than outer ones, contractile, olive-green to green-greyish, often with white spots and flashes of pink or purple (Figure 4 B – D). Deep fossa (Figure 4 F). Margin with acrorhagi (Figure 4 D). Column cylindrical, 6 – 55 mm in height and 6 – 38 mm in diameter, densely covered with rounded non-adhesive vesicles arranged in 24 alternating dark and light bands (Figure 4 A, D); dark bands with about five rows of vesicles, light ones with about three. Pedal disc well developed, 8 – 42 mm in diameter, olive-green to orange (Figure 4 C). Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first, second and some mesenteries of third cycle perfect, others imperfect. No gametogenic tissue observed in specimens examined. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 4 E). Retractor muscles more or less restricted and strong; parietobasilar muscles well developed with free mesogleal pennon (Figure 4 E). Basilar muscles well developed. Marginal sphincter muscle endodermal, circumscribed and strong (Figure 4 F). Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic p- mastigophores, holotrichs and spirocysts (Figure 4 G – Q; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Bunodosoma granuliferum lives in shallow waters on sandy and rocky areas, and seagrass fields, often between 0.5 – 2 m depth, but can be found down to 6 m in the lagoon and back-reef zones. One specimen was collected adhered to a leaf of Thalassia testudinum, as epiphytic species do. It is reported to be associated with the crustaceans Periclimenes rathbunae Schmitt, 1924, Thor amboinensis (De Man, 1888), and some reef fishes (Manjarrés 1977). Toxicological studies considered this species as a potential source of biological active compounds (Garateix et al. 2003; Nuñez et al. 2006).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Although this is the first record of Bunodosoma granuliferum for the Mexican Caribbean (Puerto Morelos and Isla Contoy reefs), it is found along the entire Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda to Barbados (see Table 1).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB04FFB588E5FB88FDBCFCF1.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Four valid species of Bunodosoma are reported in the Caribbean Sea: B. granuliferum, B. cavernatum (Bosc, 1802), B. kuekenthali Pax, 1910, and B. sphaerulatum Duerden, 1902 b; one, B. cangicum Belém & Preslercravo, 1973 in the northern coast of Brazil (Fautin 2011, Table 1). Bunodosoma granuliferum is distinguished mainly by the chromatic pattern of alternating pale and dark longitudinal bands in the column (Duerden 1902 b; Pax 1910; Corrêa 1964; Cairns et al. 1986). The distinction between B. granuliferum and B. cavernatum has been widely discussed (see Carlgren 1952; Carlgren & Hedgpeth 1952; Corrêa 1964). Using allozymes, McCommas & Lester (1980) found that the species are genetically different and considered them as separate valid species. Bunodosoma biscayensis (Fischer, 1874) also has a chromatic pattern of alternating dark and light longitudinal bands in the column; however, it differs from B. granuliferum in the cnidae and geographic distribution (found in the northeast Atlantic Ocean) (den Hartog 1987). Although we did not observe fertile specimens of B. granuliferum, it has been described to have all mesenteries (except the directives) fertile (McMurrich 1889 a, Duerden 1902 b).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	description	(Figure 5, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 52 ’ 5.10 ” N, 86 ° 51 ’ 42.66 ” W; 13 specimens); Majahual (18 ° 42 ’ 28.18 ” N, 87 ° 42 ’ 36.92 ” W; 1 specimen); Punta Cancún (21 ° 9 ’ 10.5 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 41.2 ” W; 1 specimen); Isla Mujeres (21 ° 11 ’ 55.06 ” N, 86 ° 43 ’ 35.88 ” W; 3 specimens), Punta Nizuc (21 ° 8 ’ 15.65 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 20.57 ” W; 1 specimen); Akumal (20 ° 23 ’ 39.68 ” N, 87 ° 18 ’ 47.39 ” W; 1 specimen); Xcalak (18 ° 15 ’ 53.55 ” N, 87 ° 49 ’ 43.2 ” W; 2 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 29 ’ 0.1 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 39.1 ” W; 4 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc often more than 200 mm in diameter. Oral disc 25 – 80 mm in diameter, wider than column, smooth, concave, pale brown to pale orange, or bright green to pale green (Figure 5 B). Tentacles 48 – 96, hexamerously arranged in four or five cycles, simple, cylindrical, long (to 120 mm), inner ones longer than outer ones, not completely contractile, smooth but striated in appearance, white, greenish or pale brown (Figure 5 A – D). Tentacle tips slightly swollen, blunt, with a terminal pore, mainly bright green or pink, sometimes bluish or purple (Figure 5 A). Juveniles usually with knobby tentacles. Deep fossa (Figure 5 F). Column cylindrical, smooth, 16 – 65 mm in diameter and 23 – 55 mm in height. Pedal disc well developed, 18 – 75 mm in diameter, slightly wider than column (Figure 5 C, D). Pedal disc and column bright scarlet to pale orange, or brownish to pale yellow (Figure 5 C, D). Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first, second and most of third cycle perfect, others imperfect. No gametogenic tissue observed. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 5 E). Retractor muscles restricted and strong; parietobasilar muscles well developed with free mesogleal pennon (Figure 5 E). Basilar muscles well developed. Marginal sphincter muscle absent (Figure 5 F). Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic p- mastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 5 G – O; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Condylactis gigantea lives in shallow waters inside crevices and holes of coral rocks, in rubble flats, seagrass fields, and rocky patches, often between 2 – 12 m depth, but can be found down to 30 m in the lagoon, fore and back-reef zones. It is often associated with the crustaceans Thor amboinensis, Ancylomenes pedersoni (Chace, 1958), Periclimenes yucatanicus (Ives, 1891) (Figure 5 A), and Mithrax cinctimanus Stimpson, 1860 (Manjarrés 1977; Cairns et al. 1986; Ritson-Williams & Paul 2007), as well as with some reef fishes (Hanlon & Hixon 1986).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Condylactis gigantea is found along the entire Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda to Colombia (see Table 1); it is also reported in southern Brazil (Abrolhos Islands and Rio de Janeiro) (Corrêa 1973; Zamponi et al. 1998). Although C. gigantea is reported for the Mexican Caribbean in Punta Cancún, Punta Nizuc, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, and Cozumel reefs (INE 1998 a, 1998 b, 2000), this is the first time recorded for Akumal, Majahual, Xcalak, and Isla Contoy reefs.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1AFFB788E5FC5CFA0CFC04.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — The genus Condylactis includes four valid species of which only C. gigantea is distributed in the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011). Condylactis gigantea is mainly distinguished from the other species in lacking verrucae in the distal column (Studer 1879; Kwietniewski 1896, 1898; McMurrich 1889 a, Corrêa 1964). However, juvenile individuals may present verrucae that dissapear in the adult form (McMurrich 1889 a, Duerden 1898). Furthermore, several authors have mentioned the presence of more or less inconspicuously colored longitudinal rows of dots in the column of C. gigantea (Duchassaing & Michelotti 1864; Verrill 1905; Carlgren 1952). Although in some specimens we also observed the coloration pattern with minute dots (and some juveniles with knobby tentacles and small white dots scattered in the distal column), we did not find verrucae in our histological examinations. Although the marginal sphincter muscle of C. gigantea has been described as diffuse (McMurrich 1889 a; Verrill 1905), we did not observe a developed marginal sphincter muscle (as indicated in Carlgren’s (1949) diagnosis for the genus). We also found the retractor muscles restricted rather than diffuse (Carlgren 1949). Voss (1980) considered that the coloration of C. gigantea is variable according to habitat; however, whether this variation is due to the direct influence of the habitat, accidental settling of a particular morph in one area, or genetics is unknown (Wicksten 1989). The genetic studies of Stoletzki & Schierwater (2005) of C. gigantea from Jamaica suggest that green-tip color morphs are more frequent in shallow waters and pink-tip color morphs dominate deeper areas due to adaptation to different levels of radiation. In the Mexican Caribbean, both green- and pink-tip color morphs could be often found at the same depth and frequently sharing the same niche (Figure 5 A).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	description	(Figure 6, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 49 ’ 53.2 ” N, 86 ° 52 ’ 28.02 ” W; 4 specimens); Punta Cancún (21 ° 9 ’ 10.5 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 41.20 ” W; 2 specimens); Punta Nizuc (21 ° 8 ’ 15.65 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 20.57 ” W; 1 specimen); Akumal (20 ° 23 ’ 37.03 ” N, 87 ° 18 ’ 44.51 ” W; 1 specimen), Xcalak (18 ° 13 ’ 4.7 ” N, 87 ° 49 ’ 48.8 ” W; 2 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 16.98 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 27.87 ” W; 1 specimen).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc 45 – 95 mm in diameter. Oral disc 10 – 25 mm in diameter, smooth, flat, wider than column, light brown, semi-transparent (Figure 6 B). Tentacles about 48, hexamerously arranged in four cycles, smooth but striated in appearance, tapering distally, inner ones longer than outer ones, contractile, light brown but whitish towards tips, with small white dots (Figure 6 B – C). Column cylindrical, smooth, 8 – 40 mm in diameter and 10 – 35 mm in height. Column distally with 4 – 6 branched outgrowths (pseudotentacles) with tips forked, and small round vesicles among ramifications (Figure 6 D); vesicles with batteries of macrobasic p - amastigophores. Pseudotentacles light to dark brown, vesicles white or bluish (Figure 6 A). Pedal disc well developed, 12 – 50 mm in diameter, wider than column. Pedal disc and column light brown or beige, semi-transparent (Figure 6 D). Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first and second cycles perfect and fertile, others imperfect and sterile. Same number of mesenteries distally and proximally. Hermaphroditic (Figure 6 F). Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 6 E). Retractor muscles strong, diffuse to restricted; parietobasilar muscles poorly developed (Figure 6 E). Basilar muscles developed. Marginal sphincter muscle absent. Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Zooxanthellae present, mainly in pseudotentacles. Cnidom: basitrichs, macrobasic p - amastigophores, microbasic p - amastigophores, and spirocysts (Figure 6 G – O; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Lebrunia danae lives in shallow waters inside holes or crevices of calcareous skeletons among corals and rocks, often between 2 – 12 m depth, in the fore and back-reef zones, although it has been reported down to 60 m (Ocaña et al. 2007). Lebrunia danae is associated with the caridean shrimps Thor amboinensis, Periclimenes yucatanicus, and Ancylomenes pedersoni (Manjarrés 1978; Cairns et al. 1986; Ritson-Williams & Paul 2007). During the day pseudotentacles (incapable of feeding) remain fully expanded, allowing zooxanthellae to capture sunlight. During night, pseudotentacles are contracted and the true feeding tentacles are expanded (Sebens & DeRiemer 1977). The nematocysts batteries in the vesicles of the pseudotentacles are hypothesized to have a defensive function (Sebens & DeRiemer 1977). The sting of this anemone can be highly irritating to humans (McMurrich 1889 a; Verrill 1905; Cairns et al. 1986; Ocaña et al. 2007).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Lebrunia danae occurs from Bermuda to Brazil, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1). In the Mexican Caribbean, Lebrunia danae is reported in Puerto Morelos and Cozumel reefs (INE 2000; Jordán- Dahlgren 2008), but these represent the first records in Punta Cancún, Punta Nizuc, Akumal, Xcalak, and Isla Contoy reefs.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB18FFB188E5FBEAFAB8FAAC.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Currently Lebrunia contains two valid species, both reported in the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011). The species differ in the branched pseudotentacles: those of L. danae are longer, dark brown, and have forked ends, whereas those of L. coralligens are shorter, bright bluish-gray, and have rounded ends (Varela 2002). We did not observe the weak longitudinal muscles in the distal column cited in the generic diagnosis (Carlgren 1949).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	description	(Figure 7, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 51 ’ 48.66 ” N, 86 ° 51 ’ 33.32 ” W; 7 specimens); Punta Cancún (21 ° 9 ’ 10.5 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 41.2 ” W; 1 specimen).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc 40 – 100 mm in diameter. Oral disc 32 – 55 mm in diameter, rough, variable in color, often white with dark brown, olive-green with white, or grey with green and brown (Figure 7 A, B). Marginal and discal tentacles (Figure 7 A, B). Marginal tentacles short, about 350 – 360, tapering distally, with annular thickenings (Figure 7 A) or smooth, olive green or light brown with longitudinal colored stripes (Figure 7 B). Discal tentacles reduced, small, vesicle-like, arranged in radial rows on oral disc. Column margin with one row of small vesicles without holotrichs (Figure 7 C). Column cylindrical, smooth, 27 – 45 mm in diameter and 15 – 35 mm in height, plate-like, with rough surface, pinkish proximally and fading into whitish distally, with flamelike staining pattern. Column with longitudinal rows of adherent pink verrucae distally, 5 – 6 verrucae per row (Figure 7 C, D, F). Pedal disc well developed, 12 – 35 mm in diameter, bright pink or orange (Figure 7 D). Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first two cycles and some mesenteries of third cycle perfect and fertile, others imperfect and sterile; gonochoric (?), only oocytes in examined specimens. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well-developed siphonoglyph. Retractor muscles strong, restricted; parietobasilar muscles well developed with long free mesogleal pennon (Figure 7 E). Basilar muscles well developed. Marginal sphincter muscle absent. Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic pmastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 7 G – M; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Phymanthus crucifer lives attached strongly to coral rocks and dead coral rubble, between 1 – 7 m depth, in the lagoon and fore-reef zones; the column is usually burrowed in sandy patches with only the oral disc visible above substratum.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Phymanthus crucifer is found along the Caribbean Sea, from Bermuda to Barbados (see Table 1); however, our specimens represent the first record for the Mexican Caribbean (Puerto Morelos and Punta Cancún reefs).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1EFFB388E5FA72FAC6FBA3.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Phymanthus crucifer is the only species of the twelve valid species of the genus reported in the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011). Carlgren (1949) used the presence or absence of thickenings in the marginal tentacles to differentiate Phymanthus and Heteranthus Klunzinger, 1877, the genera within Phymanthidae. However, P. crucifer includes morphs with and without thickenings in their marginal tentacles. According to Duerden (1900), all forms are different stages of development of these organisms. Although a detailed morphological study is still needed to determine the value of thickenings in the marginal tentacles as a generic or species level character, preliminary results indicate that there are no differences in other morphological characters or cnidae within Phymanthus crucifer.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	description	(Figure 8, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 55 ’ 39.13 ” N, 86 ° 49 ’ 58.93 ” W; 9 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 21.91 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 27.25 ” W; 2 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded oral disc and tentacles 60 – 240 mm in diameter. Oral disc 55 – 236 mm in diameter, flat to domed, wider than pedal disc, light brown or greenish (Figure 8 A). Tentacles very short, blunt, digitiform, in radial endocelic rows covering almost the entire oral disc; each endocelic row with dozens of tentacles but only one tentacle at the margin per exocelic row (Figure 8 B). Tentacles light brown distally, with greenish or yellowish shades proximally. Column very short, 28 – 170 mm in diameter and 15 – 25 mm in height, diabolo-shaped, smooth with longitudinal rows of brown verrucae distally; 4 – 7 verrucae per row (Figure 8 C). Pedal disc well developed, 35 – 75 mm in diameter (Figure 8 D). Pedal disc and column brownish or beige. Mesenteries irregularly arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first two cycles perfect, others imperfect. No gametogenic tissue observed in specimens examined. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph. Retractor muscles weak, diffuse, long and thin; parietobasilar muscles poorly developed (Figure 8 E). Basilar muscles well developed. Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Marginal sphincter muscle strong, circumscribed (Figure 8 F). Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic p- mastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 8 G – N; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Stichodactyla helianthus lives in shallow waters adhered to rocks and coral rubble among patches of sand and seagrass, often between 0.5 – 3 m depth, but also found down to 8 m; it is often found in areas with high wave energy of the lagoon and fore-reef zones, more rarely in calm waters. It usually forms large aggregations covering great extensions of coral rocks as result of asexual reproduction by longitudinal fission (Dunn 1981; Herrera-Moreno & Betancourt 2002). It is associated with the caridean shrimp Periclimenes rathbunae or sometimes Thor amboinensis (Dunn 1981; Ritson-William & Paul 2007). This species is considered an important source of biologically active compounds (Garateix 2005; Monroy-Estrada et al. 2006; Nuñez et al. 2006; Bosmans & Tytgat 2007; Morales-Landa et al. 2007).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — From Bermuda to Brazil, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1). In the Mexican Caribbean Stichodactyla helianthus is reported for Cozumel and Puerto Morelos reefs (INE 2000; Monroy-Estrada et al. 2006; Jordán-Dahlgren 2008), but this is the first time recorded for Isla Contoy reef.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB1CFFBD88E5FB08FEA7FD6C.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Stichodactyla helianthus is the only species of the genus (of the five valid ones) distributed in the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011). According to Dunn (1981) this species shares the shape and color of tentacles with S. haddoni (Saville-Kent, 1893); however, the tentacles in S. helianthus are arranged in a single line for nearly the entire extent of each endocoelic row whereas those of S. haddoni have two or more tentacles per row except near the oral end.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	description	(Figure 9, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 54 ’ 28.73 ” N, 86 ° 50 ’ 43.33 ” W; 5 specimens); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 23 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 22.18 ” W; 5 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc often to 40 mm in diameter. Oral disc wide, 5 – 15 mm in diameter; mouth often with whitish spots in the edges (Figure 9 A). Tentacles about 48, simple, smooth, long, thin, inner ones longer than outer ones, not completely contractile (Figure 9 B, C). Column cylindrical, 10 – 35 mm in height and 2 – 13 mm in diameter, smooth, divided into capitulum and scapus; one or two rows of cinclides in middle column (Figure 9 B). Column, tentacles and oral disc light to dark brown, oral disc often with white, yellow and bluish spots. Pedal disc well developed, 3 – 8 mm in diameter. Pedal disc and scapus often lighter than column, light brown or beige, semitransparent, with mesenterial insertions visible. Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in two or three cycles (12 – 24 pairs in specimens examined): first cycle perfect, others imperfect and poorly developed (Figure 9 D, E). No gametogenic tissue observed in specimens reviewed. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 9 D). Retractor muscles diffuse to restricted; parietobasilar muscles poorly developed. Basilar muscles poorly developed. Marginal sphincter muscle not observed. Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Acontia white (Figure 9 C), with basitrichs and microbasic p - amastigophores. Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, microbasic p- amastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 9 F – S; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Aiptasia pallida lives in shallow waters attached to small rocks and submerged lumber, between the patches of sand and seagrass of the lagoon-reef zone, sometimes epiphytic on Thalassia testudinum leaves, between 1 – 6 m depth. It often forms aggregations as a result of asexual reproduction by pedal laceration (Carlgren 1949; Clayton 1985; Cairns et al. 1986).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — Aiptasia pallida is reported from Bermuda to Brazil, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1); however, our specimens represent the first record for the Mexican Caribbean (Puerto Morelos and Isla Contoy reefs).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB12FFBF88E5FC1FFF5BFDFF.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Five of the 16 currently valid species of the genus Aiptasia have been recorded in the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011); however, differences between A. pallida and its four Caribbean congeners are unclear based on the scarce information available. Aiptasia inula (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) has only one row of cinclides and the oral disc could be yellow or blue (Duchassaing & Micheloti 1864; Andres 1883); A. mimosa (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) has 50 – 60 tentacles arranged in three cycles and the oral disc is dark red (Duchassaing & Michelotti 1864; Andres 1883); A. leiodactyla Pax, 1910 lacks a marginal sphincter muscle and is reported as a protogynous hermaphrodite. According to Sebens (1998), the most distinctive difference between A. pallida and A. tagetes (Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1864) is the presence of two (rarely one or three) prominent transversal rows of cinclides in the former, and the lack of distinct rows of cinclides in the latter; however, Duchassaing & Michelotti (1864) describe two rows of cinclides in the middle of column of A. tagetes. Some studies consider A. pallida and A. tagetes synonyms (Corrêa 1964; Herrera-Moreno 1981; Cairns et al. 1986); according to Fautin (2011), both species are valid. A thorough revision of Caribbean species of genus Aiptasia is needed to clarify their taxonomic status.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	description	(Figure 10, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Puerto Morelos (20 ° 52 ’ 0.39 ” N, 86 ° 51 ’ 41.67 ” W; 5 specimens), Majahual (18 ° 42 ’ 28.18 ” N, 87 ° 42 ’ 36.92 ” W; 1 specimen); Punta Cancún (21 ° 9 ’ 10.5 ” N, 86 ° 44 ’ 41.2 ” W; 1 specimen); Isla Mujeres (21 ° 11 ’ 55.06 ” N, 86 ° 43 ’ 35.88 ” W; 2 specimens), Akumal (20 ° 23 ’ 39.68 ” N, 87 ° 18 ’ 47.39 ” W; 1 specimen); Xcalak (18 ° 15 ’ 53.55 ” N, 87 ° 49 ’ 43.20 ” W; 1 specimen); Isla Contoy (21 ° 28 ’ 16.98 ” N, 86 ° 47 ’ 27.87 ” W; 1 specimen).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc 100 – 150 mm in diameter. Oral disc 35 – 46 mm in diameter, smooth, flat, brownish, semi-transparent, with small white, yellow and green dots; sometimes base of first cycle of tentacles with triangular spots (Figure 10 B). Tentacles with distinct white spiral bands, more concentrated distally; epidermis in spiral bands thickened (Figure 10 A – C, F). Tentacles 48 – 96, hexamerously arranged in four to six cycles, inner ones longer than outer ones, long, slender, brown, semi-transparent (Figure 10 B – D). Column elongated, 12 – 45 mm in height, 15 – 38 mm in diameter, divided into capitulum and scapus (Figure 10 C). Capitulum smooth, light to dark brown, with white and yellow spots. Scapus smooth but corrugate in appearance when contracted. One or two rows of cinclides in mid-scapus. Pedal disc well developed, 8 – 24 mm in diameter (Figure 10 D). Pedal disc and scapus light brown or beige, semi-transparent, mesenterial insertions visible. Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 pairs in specimens examined): first cycle perfect, others imperfect. No gametogenic tissue observed in specimens reviewed. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 10 E). Retractor muscles strong, restricted (Figure 10 E); parietobasilar poorly developed. Basilar muscles poorly developed. Marginal sphincter muscle not observed. Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Acontia white, with basitrichs and microbasic p - amastigophores. Zooxanthellae present. Cnidom: basitrichs, holotrichs, microbasic p- amastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 10 G – T; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Bartholomea annulata lives in shallow waters inside crevices of rocks and coral rubble, with only its tentacles above the substrate, in the lagoon and back-reef zones, often between 1 – 15 m but observed down to 20 m. Often observed in caves and crevices at the interface between hard and sandy substratum. Bartholomea annulata is commonly associated with the shrimp Ancylomenes pedersoni and the pistol shrimp Alpheus armatus Rathbun, 1901 (Manjarrés 1977; Ritson-Williams & Paul 2007). Alpheus armatus protects the anemone from predation by the fire-worm Hermodice carunculata (Pallas, 1766) and cleans the shelter, allowing the anemone to expand and retract its tentacles completely when disturbed; the anemone protects the shrimp from predation and provides it lodging (Smith 1977). Other crustaceans reported in association with B. annulata are Periclimenes yucatanicus, P. rathbunae, Thor amboinensis, Alpheus immaculatus Knowlton & Keller, 1983 and Alpheus polystictus Knowlton & Keller, 1985 (Manjarrés 1978, Knowlton & Keller 1983, 1985, 1986; Ritson-Williams & Paul 2007).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — From Bermuda to Barbados, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1). In the Mexican Caribbean, this species is reported in Cozumel and Puerto Morelos reefs (INE 2000; Sánchez-Rodríguez et al. 2001, 2006; Jordán-Dahlgren 2008), but this is the first time recorded for Majahual, Punta Cancún, Isla Mujeres, Akumal, Xcalak, and Isla Contoy reefs.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB10FFB988E5FD4CFE1FFC97.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Currently Bartholomea has three valid species, of which B. annulata and B. werneri Watzl, 1922 are reported for the Caribbean Sea (Fautin 2011). According to Watzl (1922), the spiral bands in the tentacles of B. werneri are more widely spaced than those in B. annulata. Further studies are needed to establish if the difference in the arrangement of the spiral bands of both species represents a species level difference or intraspecific variation.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	description	(Figure 11, Table 2)	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	materials_examined	Material examined. — Majahual (18 ° 42 ’ 28.18 ” N, 87 ° 42 ’ 36.92 ” W; 2 specimens).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	diagnosis	Diagnosis. — Fully expanded tentacles and oral disc to 200 mm in diameter. Oral disc 12 – 28 mm in diameter, smooth, brownish, semi-transparent, lighter than tentacles, with small yellow spots around mouth (Figure 11 B). Tentacles 48 – 96, long, to 100 mm in length, slender, inner ones longer than outer ones, brown, semi-transparent; tentacles with numerous white spherical protuberances irregularly scattered (Figure 11 A – D). Column elongated, 25 – 36 mm in diameter and 42 – 55 mm in height, smooth, divided into capitulum and scapus (Figure 11 D). Capitulum brown or light brown with white dots (Figure 11 D). Pedal disc well developed, 15 – 22 mm in diameter, limbus with irregular contour (Figure 11 C). Pedal disc and scapus beige. One or two rows of cinclides in midcolumn. Mesenteries hexamerously arranged in four cycles (48 – 50 pairs in specimens examined): only first cycle perfect. No gametogenic tissue observed in specimens reviewed. Two pairs of directives each attached to a well developed siphonoglyph (Figure 11 E). Retractor muscles strong, diffuse to restricted; parietobasilar muscles poorly developed. Basilar muscles poorly developed. Marginal sphincter muscle not observed. Longitudinal muscles in distal column (Figure 11 F). Longitudinal muscles of tentacles ectodermal. Acontia white, with basitrichs and microbasic p - amastigophores. Zooxanthellae present (Figure 11 F). Cnidom: basitrichs, holotrichs, microbasic p - amastigophores and spirocysts (Figure 11 G – Q; see Table 2).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	biology_ecology	Natural history. — Ragactis lucida lives in shallow waters attached to hard substratum, inside crevices or holes of coral rocks with only tentacles visible, in the fore and back-reef zones, at 4 – 6 m depth. It is associated to the shrimp Alpheus roquensis Knowlton & Keller, 1985 (Knowlton & Keller 1985) and Ancylomenes pedersoni is usually swimming above its tentacles, as is usually seen in Bartholomea annulata.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	distribution	Distribution. — From Bahamas to Barbados, along the entire Caribbean Sea (see Table 1). In the Mexican Caribbean, this species is reported for Puerto Morelos reef (INE 2000), but this is the first record for Majahual reef.	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
35648787DB16FFBB88E5FC64FCBAFCFC.taxon	discussion	Remarks. — Ragactis lucida has a complicated taxonomic history, having been placed in several genera (Ocaña et al. 2007). It was originally described in Capnea Forbes, 1841. but subsequently transferred to Heteractis Milne- Edwards & Haime, 1851 (Duchassaing & Michelotti 1860, 1864). Later, Andres (1883) erected the genus Ragactis for R. pulchra and included R. lucida in this new group; however, Schmidt (1972) moved R. pulchra to Phymanthus — now Phymanthus pulcher (Andres, 1883) — and hence Ragactis lacks a type species (Fautin et al. 2007). Ragactis lucida has been also placed within Aiptasia (e. g. Duerden 1898; Pax 1910) and Bartholomea (e. g. Watzl 1922; Corrêa 1964). Although Carlgren’s (1949) diagnosis of Heteractis was based on R. lucida (as Heteractis lucida), and Heteractis had been used extensively for this species (e. g. McMurrich 1896; Stephenson 1920; Carlgren 1945, 1949; den Hartog 1977; Manjarrés 1978; Knowlton & Keller 1985; Varela et al. 2001; Ocaña et al. 2007), Dunn (1981) redefined Heteractis for species of the endomyarian family Stichodactilydae. Dunn (1981) suggested that H. lucida should be placed within Bartholomea (family Aiptasiidae) or otherwise within Capnea; however, Capnea currently includes species with endodermal marginal sphincter and without acontia or cinclides (Dunn 1983). According to Fautin (2011), the familial placement of Ragactis is uncertain; however the diagnostic characters of R. lucida fit with those of the family Aiptasiidae: weak or no mesogleal marginal sphincter, ectodermal longitudinal muscles in the distal column, cinclides, and acontia with basitrichs and microbasic p - amastigophores (Rodríguez et al. 2012). As previously suggested (Duerden 1898, 1902 b; Dunn 1981), we find remarkable similarities in external and internal morphology between R. lucida and B. annulata: apparently they only differ in the tentacular structures. Nonetheless, further revision is necessary to address this synonymy. According to Fautin (2011), Ragactis has two valid species; however, differences between species remain unclear due to scarce information about R. hyalina (Le Sueur, 1817).	en	Gonzalez-Muñoz, Ricardo, Simões, Nuno, Sanchez-Rodriguez, Judith, Rodriguez, Estefania, Segura-Puertas, Lourdes (2012): First Inventory of Sea Anemones (Cnidaria: Actiniaria) of the Mexican Caribbean. Zootaxa 3556: 1-38, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.203987
