Relicanthus sp. (IMAGE)

American Museum of Natural History

Relicanthus sp.

Caption

This unidentified specimen belonging within Relicanthidae is a sea creature that was previously thought to be a giant sea anemone (order Actiniaria). New research places this animal in a new order -- a classification equal to Carnivora in mammals or Crocodilia in reptiles. The species, which lives near hydrothermal vents, has tentacles reaching more than 6.5 feet long.

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©NERC CHESSO project

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