In the depths of Arctic Winter: Stenula solsbergi (Schneider, 1884) associated with sea anemones Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761) in the White Sea

This article reports an association between the stenothoid amphipod Stenula solsbergi (Schneider, 1884) (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Stenothoidae) and the fluffy sea anemone Metridium senile (Linnaeus, 1761) (Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Metridiidae), which was discovered in the Kandalaksha Bay of the White Sea during the winter season. This association is unique, as it was found during a time when the White Sea was completely covered with a solid thick ice sheet and water temperatures were below 0°C. Additionally, this is the first recorded finding of this amphipod species in the White Sea and the Russian faunal inventory, despite the fact that sea anemones M. senile are among the most common and prevalent invertebrates in the region. Our article presents for the first time the photos of the living coloration of the species, as well as in situ photographs of its winter aggregations, consisting of immature females, on host sea anemones.