Some advanced S. gigantea questions

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, I do not know if these answers are known or not, but if anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.

1. Any info on the genetics of colors? There are apparently several color morphs of healthy S. gigantea that make it into the hobby. Tan/brown, yellow/green, purple, and blue, and maybe others. When two different colors combine sexually, what happens with what combinations? Are these discrete changes, or is it a continuum (seems unlikely since the available specimens do not generally seem to display continuous color variability).

2. What function do the colors provide? UV protection?

3. When a gigantea grows, are tentacles added near the mouth, near the edge of the oral disk, or throughout the disk?

4. Why are some tentacles forked? Do environmental factors (feeding, lighting, water flow, etc) impact the percentage that are forked? Why some and not others? Is it a similar percentage in all color morphs? My yellow/green gigantea looks to have about 20% forked, as a rough estimate.

 

[elegance coral]

I don't believe anyone knows the answer to number one. We need more research into their reproduction.
You are correct on number two.
I never really paid much attention to number three. I'll have to keep an eye on that.
Tentacles become forked when they heal from damage. They may also be forked due to genetic abnormalities.

 

[shutiny]

Hi Randy,
U've helped me much B 4 N hope that I can contribute a little 2 U questions( W/ more ???). These R my observations, not scientifically supported data.

1) I believed that the functions of colors in anemones R not much different than other marine animals, such as in octocorals. Protection, cellular respiration/metabolism N growth R the main functions that R needed 4 survival. I would reference that there may B specie specific path ways, I have observed different gigantia that displayed"discrete" changes, and some made me think that it was a spectrum of corlor range( phenotype?) indifferent environments. Two gigantia I have came 2 mind, a brown one grown 2 B a rainbow color, but a second brown one in the same tank became a purple one. R these the results of specific genetics or a continuum / enhanced / displayed in environment condition? If was a discrete changes, would we've seen more colors?

2) not sure, may B a science or Dr. Fulton would tell us.

3) R U referrering 2 the destiny? I have seen certain color variances have different density N growth pattern.

4) I would think it is a function of surface area 4 food, the "best method/shortest route"
2 "get there"?

 

[shutiny]

Correction on #3)' it should have been " density"' not " destiny". iPad is a pain, some times.

 

[OrionN]

I think I know the answer to number three. When my H. magnifica grow, more tentacles are added from the edge instead of the middle. I think it is the same for the other anemones. Feed you anemone and you will see smaller tentacles at the edge of the oral plate.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Thanks, folks.

Anyone know of any evidence of color changes due to UV intensity changes?

I know that some folks attribute intensification of certain colors to light levels overall, but is that evidence compelling?

 

[elegance coral]

Assuming the animal is healthy, I think there is very little doubt that higher light levels cause intensification of the secondary colors. The blues, greens, reds, and others. These are UV blocking pigments produced by the animal itself. The underlying brown or tan color may fade as light levels increase. This color is produced by the zooxanthellae. In brighter light, it takes fewer zooxanthellae to produce sufficient amounts of carbohydrates for their host, so the host will retain a smaller population, causing the animal to take on a lighter brown color.

 

[LesMartin]

I think I know the answer to number three. When my H. magnifica grow, more tentacles are added from the edge instead of the middle. I think it is the same for the other anemones. Feed you anemone and you will see smaller tentacles at the edge of the oral plate.

Intersesting that Minh. I have a magnifica and the original owner claimed that it was a clone. His brother owned the other half/original animal. I mention this because the area near the mouth is relatively bare and I don't know if this is a result of the cloning process or it is just the way this animal is. However, because it is bare, this area is quite easy to observe. I have noticed on a fairly frequent basis, the appearance of new tentacles. These start as a small pimple and are always closer to the mouth than the existing tentacles. I have never observed this on the edges of the disk.

 

[reppo13]

+1 Minh is right, I have a BTA and when it gets more tentacles it comes from the outside of the nem as if a layer is split into tentacles and then folds up like all the rest.(hard to say in words) This nem is also a forced split nem and had a few tentacles shoot up by the mouth but not many.

 

[elegance coral]

I just went and snapped a pic of my gigantea. Here you can see what appears to be new tentacles forming near the mouth of the anemone.

In this pic of my magnifica, if you look close enough, you can see what appears to be new, or young, tentacles forming around the perimeter.

Maybe this is a species specific trait????? Maybe tentacles are likely to pop up anywhere on the oral disk, of any species???? Like I said earlier, this is something I haven't really paid much attention to. I find it hard to believe that tentacle formation around the parameter is standard for all anemones. Some anemones, like tapetum, have different types of tentacles on the perimeter. For the interior tentacles to have started on the perimeter in these species, the tentacles would have to change shape, length, and even color in some individuals.

 

[OrionN]

Not all smaller tentacles are new tentacles. I have notice that some of the tentacles can be lost or damage and will re-grow the missing portion. Looking at healthy and growing, I always notice the new tentacle sprout up from between older tentacles. I also observed that slit tentacles does not continue to split to form two tentacles.
I though about this and tried to observed my Magnifica's grown and split multiple times in the early 2000. Unfortunately, I lost that anemone in a tank crash several years ago.

Does what is true for one species necessary mean that it is true for another species?

No it does not. I have not keep any Gigantea for any amount of time but it may be reasonable to assume the same thing until observe otherwise.

 

[shutiny]

If water chemistry, flow R in the "zone", increase lighting intensity will enhance coloration. But, finding that sweet spot is a challenge N not all gigantic came from the same water condition, flow N light intensity. In this, the needs of giganteas R very much like the Acroporade.

 

[this is me]

If water chemistry, flow R in the "zone", increase lighting intensity will enhance coloration. But, finding that sweet spot is a challenge N not all gigantic came from the same water condition, flow N light intensity. In this, the needs of giganteas R very much like the Acroporade.

WHAT!

 

[this is me]

If I look at my gigantea, I can see the new tentacles coming out of the edge of the oral disk.

 

[shutiny]

:

WHAT!

Are U referring 2 my writing or info? I was just saying that lighting is not the only factor for improving gigantea color intensity.
Sorry 4 the poor witting, using iPad N typing with fat fingers( from severe mosquito bites) did't help.

 

[this is me]

:

Are U referring 2 my writing or info? I was just saying that lighting is not the only factor for improving gigantea color intensity.
Sorry 4 the poor witting, using iPad N typing with fat fingers( from severe mosquito bites) did't help.

Sorry I didn't mean to be rude or anything but I was trying to understand your post. It's something about lighting and flow but what is N and R? Are these variables?

 

[elegance coral]

R = are
N = and

 

[jonnybravo22]

i was waiting to post until i could snap a pic but the one posted by elegance coral gets the across a similar visual.

i think that my gigantea buds new tentacles whereever it wants / needs to. i think i've seen them both on the outer edge as well as near the mouth and in random places on the surface.

just as a thought exercise, if it could only generate new tentacles on the outer edge, wouldnt it look funny?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Great discussion, folks.

As a follow up to the color question, anyone know (or have an opinion) whether the chromophores used to develop colors in giganteas have any specific dietary basis?

That is, needing a starting chromophore compound from foods it consumes that it then uses to make its own chromophores?

 

[jasonrp104]

Are we ever gonna see a picture of the gig, Randy? It's been over a month so the jinx is up. I haven't seen a pic since the ad