Gross morphology and cnidae of <i>edwardsiella</i> anemones and larvae (Anthozoa, Edwardsiidae) from the Swedish West Coast

The American ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, recently found in Skagerrak off the Swedish west coast, carried parasitic anemone larvae identified as Edwardsiella sp. In Western Atlantic Ocean, M. leidyi are commonly infected by of lineata anemones. It was questioned whether came across with invasive ctenophore, or they belonged to native E. carnea However, recent molecular investigations and different species from carnea. Present morphological investigation supports distinction anemones a changeable rounded flattened physa without rugae white pigmentation on basal outer tentacles. One larva developed into juvenile this characteristic column differentiation, identifying our confirming its ability produce larvae. Cnidome descriptions reveal three similar cnidae larvae, specific either larval stages. characteristics support an member, but further comparable studies cnidomes warranted for evaluating their taxonomic significance.