Stichodactylidae is a family of sea anemones that contains the generaStichodactyla (carpet anemones) and Heteractis. These sea anemones exclusively reside within the shallow waters of the tropical Indo-Pacific area and are in the main family of sea anemones that hosts several varieties of clownfishes.[1] Most sea anemone species are harmless to humans, but at least some Stichodactyla are highly venomous and their sting may cause anaphylactic shock and organ failure (notably acute liver failure).[2][3] In contrast, the venom of Heteractis has shown potential in treatment of lung cancer.[4]
Discovery
C. Collingwood first discovered Stichodactylidae back in 1868 after taking note on the existence of gigantic sea-anemones in the China Sea, containing quasi-parasitic fish.[5]
Genera and species
The following species are recognized within the family Stichodactylidae:[6]
^Ramezanpour, Mahnaz; da Silva, Karen Burke; Sanderson, Barbara J. S. (2013). "Venom present in sea anemone (Heteractis magnifica) induces apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells through activation of mitochondria-mediated pathway". Biotechnology Letters. 36 (3): 489โ495. doi:10.1007/s10529-013-1402-4. PMID24190482. S2CID254291044.
^Attaran, Gilan & Javid, Pegah & Shakouri, Arash. (2015). Morphology and phylogeny of the sea anemone Stichodactyla haddoni (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria) from Chabahar Bay, Iran. TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY. 39. 998-1003. 10.3906/zoo-1310-4.