Fig. 6

A)  In situ surveys documented widespread occurrences of Stichodactyla mertensii, from Djibouti to Saudi Arabia around 25.5° N. Previous literature and occurrence record databases such as OBIS (green points) suggest the presence of Stichodactyla gigantea but not Stichodactyla mertensii in the region; however, neither in situ surveys nor a review of confirmed photographic records from other sources (including peer-reviewed literature and citizen science databases such as iNaturalist, yellow points) published over the last 50 years can confirm the presence of this species in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden. B) Stichodactyla mertensii, not S. gigantea, is the prevalent carpet anemone species in this region; revised (blue) and historical (red) distributions are shown for the carpet anemone species in this region