Sclerosoma

Sclerosoma is a genus of sea anemones belonging to the order Actiniaria. These marine invertebrates are characterized by their tough, leathery outer body wall, which gives them their name. The genus was first described by Brand in 1921. Species within Sclerosoma are typically found in temperate and subtropical waters, often attached to rocky substrates in intertidal and subtidal zones. Their morphology generally includes a cylindrical column and a crown of tentacles surrounding the oral disc. The exact number of tentacles can vary between species. Sclerosoma anemones are carnivorous, feeding on small invertebrates and plankton captured using their stinging cells, known as nematocysts. Reproduction in Sclerosoma can occur both sexually and asexually, with fragmentation being a common method of asexual reproduction. Little is known about the specific ecological roles or detailed life cycles of many Sclerosoma species, as research on this genus is relatively limited compared to more well-known sea anemone groups. The genus currently comprises a small number of described species.