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]
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 palytoxin, thus it is important to avoid eye or skin 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]
1 2 3 4 5 6 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. ISBN978-1-56647-673-7.[pageneeded]
1 2 Hoover, John P. (1998). Hawai'i's sea creatures: a guide to Hawai'i's marine invertebrates. Honolulu, Hawaii: Mutual Pub. ISBN978-1-56647-220-3.[pageneeded]
↑ 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 publisheded.). Beverly Hills, Calif: Coral Reef Press. ISBN978-0-9645625-0-9.[pageneeded]
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