IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - The sea anemones' venomous concoctions

We end this series of science communication with the world of venom in sea anemones. Yes, the tiny cnidae that you read earlier are venomous! No touching!

Soft-bodied and somewhat jelly-like, these sea anemones are packed with great survival skills in the ocean: from evading of predators to microscopic weapons of death. These sea anemones continue to wow as we now learn more about their venomous stinging cells.

Venomous concoctions in sea anemones

The sea ninja’s most potent weapon is its venom. The cnidae of anemones contain a venomous concoction filled with a menagerie of toxins that causes different kinds of physiological effects on their victims. Some anemone toxins viciously destroy cells, while others are responsible for paralysing victims, causing them excruciating pain.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - The sea anemones' weapons of death

We're back with new stories about the sea anemones written by IYOR intern Shabdita. Our heartiest congratulations to her for receiving an Honorable Mention for her recent submission to the Asian Scientist Writing Prize 2019! You can read her works here.

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They can hide, but not forever! So how does the sea anemones defend itself from potential predators? Let's find out in this post!

Cnidae - The Microscopic Weapons of Death

Instead of using knives, swords or throwing stars, the sea ninja (aka the sea anemones) uses microscopic weapons known as cnidae for defending against predators and capturing prey. Cnidae are microscopic capsules, which forcefully shoot out threads when there is mechanical and/or chemical stimulations. For example, the freshwater polyp Hydra magnipapillata can discharge its cnidae due to changes in light levels. In general, there are three types of cnidae: nematocysts, ptychocysts, and spirocysts.

Cnidae of Cnidaria. They come in all shapes and sizes! Source: Snail's Odyssey.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - How sea anemones evade predators?

Now that you got to know a bit more about the sea anemones, so how sea anemones evade predators? Let's find out in this post!

The Game of Survival 

Stealthy, quiet, and well-camouflaged, the sea anemones are likened to ninjas of the sea. Photo credits: Grae Hunter. 

A typical sea anemone (aka sea ninja) has to evade its predators, battle other anemones, and find its next meal in an ocean of scarcity and competition. Toxins are a sea anemone’s most vital weapon because they play a part in capturing prey, repelling predators, digestion, and interspecies competition.

IYOR Intern's Take on Singapore's Marine Life - Sea Anemones aka 'Sea Ninjas'

Celebrating Singapore Shores 2019 at Berlayer Creek! It couldn't have been possible without the hard work of our IYOR Interns!

Our IYOR Interns are such a talented bunch! From making videos to creating art works, they have done so much to raise awareness about Singapore's shores over the past year. In this mini series, we will be featuring one intern's passion for sea anemones as she shares about them through writing about them in a fun and creative way! She hopes that you will fall in love with the sea anemones, just like she did! 😁😁😁

The Sea Ninjas - Sea Anemones

Sea anemones are like the middle children of marine life. They don’t get as much attention as their more popular siblings i.e. your corals and jellyfish. Like corals and jellyfish, sea anemones fall in the phylum known as Cnidaria. Cnidaria is an ancient venomous phylum, which is distinguished by a unique feature known as cnidae. Cnidae play a variety of role in predation, adhesion and defence. Cnidarians are incredibly diverse in terms of diet, behaviour and habitat. 

Participate in "My Defining Maritime Moment" Social Media Contest (1 Mar to 31 Aug)!

Love taking photos? And a great love for our seas? Then this contest is for you!

"My Defining Maritime Moment" is organised by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore! Participants stand a chance to win $200!

Also, a chance to be featured at the “My Defining Maritime Moment” Exhibition held at the Singapore Maritime Gallery @ Marina South Pier.

Visit Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)’s Facebook Page for more information.

Rock Tour of Singapore shores!

Go on a rock tour of Singapore without leaving your armchair. Check out this awesome online guide: "A Field Guide to the Geology of Singapore 2nd edition" by Grahame J. H. Oliver and Avijit Gupta on the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum website.

Natural rocky shores of St John's Island
just a short boat ride from the Central Business District.

This Guide takes a travel guide book-like excursion compendium approach and shares fascinating insights into some of our amazing geological formations.

Singapore shores rock!

Yes, Singapore has awesome rocky shores! While the rocks may appear barren, they are usually full of life! Take a closer look!

Awesome rocky shore and coastal forest
of Sentosa Tanjung Rimau.

Here's more about our rock dwellers and where you might find them.

July and Aug: FREE guided intertidal walk at Sentosa

Registration now open! Embark on an adventure along Sentosa's coastline with tour guides!

One of Singapore’s last remaining coastal cliff and rocky shores, the Siloso Headland (also known as Tanjung Rimau) is a natural treasure trove on Sentosa. Home to corals, seagrass, and a wide variety of marine wildlife, Siloso Headland also boasts beautiful landscape with the original and aged old rock outcrop.

19 May (Sat): Siloso Coastal Forest Tour with Nature Society (Singapore)

Sentosa's natural cliffs are cloaked in some of Singapore's rarest plants. Including the magnificent Raffles pitcher plants. And Nyireh laut, of which only a handful of trees are known.

Join Bian Tan, a wonderful naturalist and expert botanist, on this plant walk to explore this delightful untouched corner of Sentosa.

Now available: "The Singaporean Seas and Shores" by Wild Drawings

Take a dive with Wild Drawings to explore Singapore's vibrant waters! A special poster to celebrate International Year of the Reef 2018,

click on image for larger view

Colourful terumbu karang (coral reefs) bloom amongst Singapore’s southern islands, and scattered along our coasts are a variety of other marine habitats: mangroves, sandy beaches, rocky shores, mudflats and seagrass beds. Many of our natural marine habitats have dwindled due to pollution, land reclamation and heavy vessel traffic. Nevertheless, they remain home to countless life forms, as fascinating as they are beautiful.

Sentosa's wild shores

Sentosa's rich wild shores are featured by Audrey Tan in this Straits Times article.

Mangroves with Singapore's "last bastion of a sustainable and healthy population of the original bakau pasir" and magnificent heritage trees. Natural rocky shores and cliffs cloaked in rare coastal forest. Where an amazing variety of birds can be found. All lovingly looked after by a dedicated team at Sentosa.

Pulau Tekukor: Awesome aerials

Check out awesome aerials and stories about Pulau Tekukor, one of our seldom-visited islands. Thanks to Heng Pei Yan who flies SG Sea Drone - Dronietta seashorensis.