Category: Invertebrates
These water dwelling, carnivorous animals are named for a type of flower, no doubt owing to their often colorful flower-like appearances and generally stationary lifestyle. They attach to the substrate with an adhesive foot called their “basal disc,” above which is their body column topped by an “oral disc” surrounded by stinging tentacles. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, shrimp, and other tiny aquatic organisms. With a few highly toxic exceptions, most anemones are harmless to humans. Many sea anemones form a facultative symbiotic relationship with certain single-celled algae species, benefitting from the byproducts of the alga’s photosynthetic processes.
Rub some dirt on it!
Could it be we have been too good at ridding our bodies of parasitic worms? Believe it or not, our efforts at keeping squeaky-clean and sanitary in the developed world may be contributing to increased allergies, asthma, psoriasis, even autoimmune diseases. The human immune system, having evolved with parasitic worms, recognizes them, and has learned to reduce inflammation and stimulate healing when these tiny intruders are sensed. While getting worms may be seen as too high a price to pay for many, for people suffering from severe allergies or colitis, it may be worth it. Victims of multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease have shown a promising reduction in symptoms (even remission in Crohn’s) after ingesting whipworm eggs - a treatment that may be worth it to some until a cure is found!
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Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
