Sea Penウミエラ

Cavernularia obesaNE— Not Evaluated

Cavernularia obesa, known in Japanese as umi-saboten ("sea cactus"), is a colonial sea pen that lives on sandy-muddy seabeds in the warm waters of the Indo-West Pacific, including areas south of Ishikari Bay in Japan. Its club-shaped colony retracts into the sand by day and extends at night to feed on plankton, and it is known for bioluminescing when touched. Its conservation status has not been formally evaluated by the IUCN.

Sea Pen (reference photo)
Photo: opencage / CC BY-SA 2.5 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Pennatulacea / Veretillidae Source
Distribution
Found on sandy-muddy seabeds in the warm waters of the Indo-West Pacific, and in Japan south of Ishikari Bay at depths to about 20 m. Source

Did You Know?

  • Its cactus-like colony contracts and hides in the sand by day, then extends at night to open its many polyps and feed on plankton. Source
  • It is known to bioluminesce when disturbed, with light spreading across the colony in a wave from the point of stimulation. Source

Where to See This Species

1 facilities · 0 individuals

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

国内で初めて繁殖に成功し、生きもの図鑑にも掲載。館内で展示されている Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNの世界的評価は掲載されていないためnull。

Habitat

砂泥底の浅海から深海。

Threats

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

Sources

en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why is it called a 'sea cactus' in Japanese?
Its club-shaped colony resembles a cactus, and it retracts into the sand during the day and extends at night, similar to how a cactus stores water. Source
Does it glow?
Yes—when disturbed it bioluminesces, with the glow spreading across the colony like a wave from the point of contact. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org