Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Actinia ("ray") equina ("ray")

Three Beadlet Anemone (Actinia equina) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019

Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ?  / Width: 5cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A common species of anemone found across the rocky coasts of Western Europe.  It is a specialist of intertidal zones, where, unlike many anemones, it is capable of retracting within itself to survive out of water between tides, resembling a blog of red jelly, often tucket into cracks.  Once the tide returns in it opens up to reveal it's tendrils for feeding.

Related Species:
Order: Actiniaria
Family: Actiniidae
Genus: Actinia
SUBSPECIES: ? 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common reisdent of coasts.

 - Seen regularly around Trevose Head in Cornwall.

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo)

OTHER NAMES: Dustbin-lid Jellyfish, Frilly-mouthed Jellyfish
Latin Etymology: Rhizostoma ("root mouth") pulmo ("lungs")

Adult Barrel Jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019

Featured Subspecies: ? 
Weight: up to 25kg  /  Diameter: 40-150cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated 

The barrel jellyfish are the second largest jellyfish found in UK waters, after the vast Lion's Mane Jellyfish.  They have been less common as strandings than other species, but my visit to Cornwall in 2019 had me find a number of beached dead specimens on Constantine bay, before later seeing this live individual from Trevose Head while sea watching.  They are a favoured food of leatherback sea turtles.

Related Species:
Order: Rhizostomeae
Family: Rhizostomatidae
Genus: Rhizostoma
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common oceanic resident

 - Seen at Trevose Head in July 2019

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .