ACTINIAR1A 



Gonactinia prolifera (M. Sars.) Sars. 



Actinia prolifera n. sp. M. Sars 1835 p. 3, n PI. 2, fig. 6. 



Gonactinia prolijera Sars, M. Sars 1851 p. 142, 1853 p. 379, 386. Danielsen & Koren 1856 p. 87. Koren, 

 J 857, p. 93. Andres, 1883, p. 366. Blochmann & Hilger, 1888, p. 385, PI. 14, 15. 

 Haddon, 1889, p. 340, textfig. 2. Prouho, 1891, p. 247, PI. 9, figs, i 3. Carlgren, 

 1893, p. 31, PI. i, fig. 14, PL 4, figs. 1113; 1904, P- 546, fig- i. Appellof, 1893, p. 27. 

 1895, p. ii. Grieg, 1913, p. 143. Kerb, 1913, p. i. textfigs. 15. Pax, 1915. 



Diagnosis: Tentacles 14 18 commonly 16, of about the same length as the column, almost all 

 of the same size. Actinopharynx of about half the length of the column with longitudinal furrows corres- 

 ponding to the insertions of the mesenteries. Siphonoglyphes a little differentiated with aboral prolonga- 

 tions. Spirocysts in the ectoderm of the column about 17 22 X 2,5 ft, in the tentacles 13 x i 24 X 2,5 p. 

 Actinopharynx without spirocysts. Nematocysts in the ectoderm of the column about 17 29 x 2,5 3 ft, 

 in the tentacles partly 22 24 X 2 ft, partly 29 43 X 3,5 4 ft, the latter numerous in the distal part. Only 

 the 4 lateral " Edwardsia-mesenteries" with both reproductive organs and filaments. Directive mesen- 

 teries and often the 5th couple with filaments. Mesenteries of the second cycle only common in the 

 dorsolateral exocoels. Arrangement of the mesenteries often irregular (compare above!). longitudinal 

 muscles of the mesenteries and the parieto-basilar muscles very weak. No stomata. 



Colour: Flesh-coloured or white with transparent inner organs. 



Dimensions: Length of the column and the tentacles about 0,3 cm. 



Occurrence: Sweden. Gullmarfiord in several places attached to sea-weed, Serpula-tubes or mussel- 

 shells (Carlgren). Vaderoarne (Zool. Stat. 1911) to shells of Lima, Kosterfiord. Hamnholmen 106 80 m. 

 (Zool. Stat. 1910). North-Sea without distinct locality (Uddstrom). 



Norway. Coast of Bergen, the islands off Bergen and the outer parts of the fiord. Solsvik Bergen 

 20 30 m (Kerb), Herlofiord (teste Appellof), Hardangerfiord, Straumastein, Saetvetnes 1025 m (teste 

 Grieg), Slaetholmen (M. Sars), Bougestrommen, Manger (M. Sars), Gibostad (Dons), Hammarfest M. Sars). 



Coast of Murman, Olenja Guba littoral (teste Pax). 



Further distribution: Mediterranean (Prouho). 



Remarks: This species has been described before in detail by Blochmann and Hilger 1888 and 

 by myself 1893. 



Concerning the distribution and size of the stinging capsules I will state as follows: In the ectoderm 

 of the column there are nematocysts as well as spirocysts, rather numerous, the size of the former variates 

 from about 17 29 X 2,5 ft, the latter from about 17 22 X 2,5 ft, possibly there are also smaller spirocysts, 

 what I have not been able to decide. In the ectoderm of the tentacles the spirocysts appear everywhere in 

 great numbers, they variate from about 13 x i // to 24 X 2,5 //. The nematocysts were of two different sizes, 

 partly smaller and not so numerous, 22 24 X 2 //, partly larger, 2943 X 3,5 ft. On one part of the latter 

 the basal part of the spiral thread was discernible. As in Protanthea the greater part of the large nemato- 

 cysts were concentrated in the summit of the tentacles, further down they were much fewer in numbers. 

 The distal part of the tentacles also forms rather strong batteries of nematocysts. I have not been able 



