The acrorhagi of
Actinia bermudensis are used to discourage other individuals from moving into the anemone's territory. Intruding anemones are not normally killed but usually retire to a safer place.
Actinia bermudensis is an
omnivore. The main items of
prey are
gastropods,
isopods and small
bivalves. Other food items may include other marine
invertebrates and
algae. Many sea anemones form a
symbiotic relationship with
zooxanthellae.
Actinia bermudensis often contains these
flagellate protozoa living within its tissues but they are of a non-photosynthetic species. It is doubtful whether this should be called symbiosis as the anemone does not seem to derive any benefit from the arrangement. At times of food scarcity, however, the anemone may consume the zooxanthellae. Reproduction can take place by fission, the anemone
splitting in half longitudinally. The offspring are
clones of the parent and genetically identical. Alternatively, sexual reproduction occurs, with internal fertilisation. In this case the juvenile sea anemones are brooded by the parent in the
gastrovascular cavity until they have grown sufficiently large to be liberated into the water column. There are ten times as many females among these brooded young as there are males. Another method of reproduction is a form of
parthenogenesis with the young being brooded internally. ==References==