Palythoa tuberculosa
| Palythoa tuberculosa | |
|---|---|
| Norfolk Island, 2023 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Cnidaria |
| Subphylum: | Anthozoa |
| Class: | Hexacorallia |
| Order: | Zoantharia |
| Family: | Sphenopidae |
| Genus: | Palythoa |
| Species: | P. tuberculosa
|
| Binomial name | |
| Palythoa tuberculosa (Esper, 1805)
| |
Palythoa tuberculosa, also known as the Pillow Zoanthid, or Rubbery Zoanthid, is a species of cnidarian in the family Sphenopidae.[1][2][3][4] This species is commonly found in shallow tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, including Hawai'i, where it plays a role in reef ecosystems by forming encrusting colonies on rocky surfaces.[3][4][5]
Description
Like other zoanthids, Palythoa tuberculosa lacks a hard skeleton and consists of small polyps embedded in a thick, fleshy mat.[3] The polyps are short and immersed in the surrounding tissue, with tentacles that are typically retracted during the day and extended at night.[6] The colonies can vary in color, including shades of blue-gray, green, gray, brown, or pink.[3][4]
Distribution and habitat
Palythoa tuberculosa is widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific, including regions such as Hawai'i, Japan, and the Great Barrier Reef.[7] It inhabits a range of environments, from exposed rocky coastlines with heavy wave action to sandy reef flats where colonies become encrusted with sand.[3] In areas with steep, sediment-free surfaces, colonies tend to grow larger and remain free of sand, while in more sheltered habitats, smaller colonies develop with sand covering their surface.[3]
Ecology
As a member of the order Zoantharia, Palythoa tuberculosa is a colonial anemone-like organism that depends on both heterotrophic and autotrophic feeding strategies. It captures planktonic prey using its tentacles, which contain specialized stinging cells called nematocysts.[8] It may contain a deadly toxin called Palytoxin, thus it is important to avoid contact.[4] Additionally, it harbors symbiotic zooxanthellae, photosynthetic algae that provide nutrients to the host through the process of photosynthesis.[6]
Taxonomy and molecular studies
The species has been previously listed under the name Palythoa caesia.[4] However, molecular and morphological studies have confirmed that Palythoa caesia and Palythoa tuberculosa are conspecific, meaning they belong to the same species.[7]
References
- ^ Kimura, Shoji; Hashimoto, Yoshiro; Yamazato, Kiyoshi (October 1972). "Toxicity of the zoanthid Palythoa tuberculosa". Toxicon. 10 (6): 611–617. Bibcode:1972Txcn...10..611K. doi:10.1016/0041-0101(72)90123-7. PMID 4146668.
- ^ WoRMS. "Palythoa tuberculosa (Esper, 1805)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ a b c d e f Fenner, Douglas (2005). Corals in Hawai'i: field guide to hard, black, and soft corals of Hawai'i and the northwest Hawaiian Islands, including Midway. Honolulu, Hawai'i: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-673-7.
- ^ a b c d e "Rubbery Zoanthid, Palythoa tuberculosa". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ "Palythoa tuberculosa, Rubbery zoanthid". www.sealifebase.se. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ a b Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures: a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Pub. ISBN 978-1-56647-220-3.
- ^ a b Hibino, Yuya; Todd, Peter A.; Yang, Sung-yin; Benayahu, Yehuda; Reimer, James Davis (2014-07-01). "Molecular and morphological evidence for conspecificity of two common Indo-Pacific species of Palythoa (Cnidaria: Anthozoa)". Hydrobiologia. 733 (1): 31–43. Bibcode:2014HyBio.733...31H. doi:10.1007/s10750-013-1587-5. ISSN 1573-5117.
- ^ Colin, Patrick Lynn; Arneson, Charles (1995). Tropical Pacific invertebrates: a field guide to the marine invertebrates occurring on tropical Pacific coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves (First published ed.). Beverly Hills, Calif: Coral Reef Press. ISBN 978-0-9645625-0-9.