Battling Sunburst Anemones (Anthopleura sola) at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve

Looking back, I am amazed that I even noticed these two sunburst (or starburst) anemones beginning to battle it out. It's slow and tiny in its way, but amazing when you consider what simple blind creatures these really are. It has been noted that this sort of warfare is commonly seen in aggregating anemones, which form masses and masses of genetically identical individuals (if you can call them that) when they encounter genetically different individuals. But since sunburst anemones are also known as "solitary anemones" I'm not so sure that in this case family politics has anything to do with it. It might just be a good way to make sure the new neighbor doesn't start raiding your garden of floating marine morsels. Why this war is waging I've no idea, but watching it unfold reminds me of the constant struggle for life on earth.

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