Zoantharia

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Zoanthids
Parazoanth2.JPG
Parazoanthus axinellae
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Hexacorallia
Order: Zoantharia
Diversity
See text.

Zoanthids (order Zoantharia also called Zoanthidea or Zoanthiniaria) are an order of cnidarians commonly found in coral reefs, the deep sea and many other marine environments around the world. These animals come in a variety of different colonizing formations and in numerous different colors. They can be found as individual polyps, attached by a fleshy stolon or a mat that can be created from small pieces of sediment, sand and rock. The term "zoanthid" refers to all animals within this order Zoantharia, and should not be confused with " Zoanthus ", which is one genus within Zoantharia.

Contents

These are among the most commonly collected corals in reef aquaria, easily propagating and very durable in many water conditions.

Nomenclature controversy

The name of the order is controversial. Non-specialists often use the term Zoanthidea whereas most taxonomists use Zoantharia. The term Zoantharia in turn is used temporarily instead of Hexacorallia. However, major taxonomic papers published since 1899 by specialists (O. Carlgren and F. Pax have described more species than all other authors combined) use Zoantharia, and most recent specialists on the order [1] [2] continue to use the term Zoantharia.

Characteristics

Zoanthids can be distinguished from other colonial anthozoans and soft coral by their characteristic of incorporating sand and other small pieces of material into their tissue to help make their structure (except for the family Zoanthidae). A main characteristic of the order is that their tentacles are all marginal. Most species propagate asexually and the offspring of the original polyp remain connected to each other, by a stolonal network or coenosarc. Some species are solitary. [3]

While the most well-known zoanthids are the zooxanthellate genera found in tropical and sub-tropical waters (primarily Zoanthus and Palythoa ), many other species and genera exist, some still relatively unknown to science. [4] [5] [6] [7] Many zoanthids (in particular the genera Epizoanthus and Parazoanthus) are often found growing on other marine invertebrates.

Often in zooxanthellate genera such as Zoanthus and Palythoa there are a large number of different morphs of the same or similar species. Such zooxanthellate genera derive a large portion of their energy requirements from symbiotic dinoflagellates of the genus Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae), similar to many corals, anemones, and some other marine invertebrates.

Families and genera

The families and genera within the order Zoantharia (also known as Zoanthidea) are: [8]

Suborder Macrocnemina

Suborder Brachycnemina

Note: there are some zoanthid genera such as Neozoanthus or Paleaozoanthus for which there are currently only few data available, those zoanthids having never been found again since their original description.

Aquaria

This dragon-eye zoanthid is a popular source of color in reef tanks Zoanthus-dragon-eye.jpg
This dragon-eye zoanthid is a popular source of color in reef tanks

Zoanthidae include many species popular in the fishkeeping world, among hobbyists and professionals. They are relatively easy to keep alive and healthy, and will often spread to cover rocks in their bright circles of color. They are known by some as carpet coral, button polyps, and "zoas" or "zoos."

Captive Propagation

Eagle Eye zooanthid coral, propagated in captivity Eagle Eyes Zooanthids up Close.jpg
Eagle Eye zooanthid coral, propagated in captivity

Zooanthids and Palythoa are propagated in captivity by cutting the polyps apart using a scalpal or scissors then attaching to a surface with cyanoacrylate glue. Care must be taken when cutting zooanthids because if the palytoxin gets in the bloodstream a person will become very ill. Drying the polyps with paper towel then gluing them to a small base with gelled cyanoacrylate glue ensures they do not drift in the aquarium when reintroduced [16]

Dangers

Some (but not all) members of this order contain the highly toxic substance palytoxin. Even in small quantities, Palytoxin can be fatal should it be ingested or enter the blood stream. If delivered immediately, it has been suggested that vasodilators can be injected into the ventricle of the heart to act as an antidote. [17] A 2010 study found toxic zoanthids in three Washington, D.C. area aquarium stores. [18]

Reports are varied and conflicting on the potential dangers of handling the animal in the aquarist hobby. General opinion and practical experience holds that in order for this toxin to be dangerous to humans, the average aquarist would need to ingest the zoanthid in sufficient quantities, or brush a recent cut over it, and average handling, propagation and aquarium maintenance is unlikely to pose any danger beyond a localized skin reaction. [19]

Other sources state that palytoxin can be absorbed through intact skin, [20] and the danger of acute poisoning from venomous zoanthids is quite real. According to a report an aquarist was poisoned through skin injuries on fingers by a species of Parazoanthus , but recovered after three days. His zoanthid was found to contain 2-3 milligrams of PTX per gram. [21]

Palytoxin has also been known to damage the eyes of aquarists who attempt to propagate the coral by cutting it and being squirted in the eye. Temporary blindness and permanent blindness have been reported. It is always recommended to wear proper eye protection when cutting corals.

Research shows that in sublethal quantities, Palytoxin is a tumor promoter, and is being studied in relation to signaling pathways in skin cancer genesis. [22]

Generally it is considered proper practice to always wear appropriate protective gloves when reaching into salt water tanks and handling sea invertebrates. [23]

Diet

Zoanthids feed both by photosynthesis, aided by the zooxanthellae they contain, and by capturing plankton and particulate matter. Although photosynthesis aids in their nutrition, even species that do not actively capture plankton cannot live through photosynthesis alone. [24] Zoanthids can eat meaty foods, such as lancefish, brine shrimp, krill, and bloodworms.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthozoa</span> Class of cnidarians without a medusa stage

Anthozoa is a subphylum of marine invertebrates which includes sessile cnidarians such as the sea anemones, stony corals, soft corals and sea pens. Adult anthozoans are almost all attached to the seabed, while their larvae can disperse as planktons. The basic unit of the adult is the polyp; this consists of a cylindrical column topped by a disc with a central mouth surrounded by tentacles. Sea anemones are mostly solitary, but the majority of corals are colonial, being formed by the budding of new polyps from an original, founding individual. Colonies are strengthened by calcium carbonate and other materials and take various massive, plate-like, bushy or leafy forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hexacorallia</span> Class of cnidarians with 6-fold symmetry

Hexacorallia is a class of Anthozoa comprising approximately 4,300 species of aquatic organisms formed of polyps, generally with 6-fold symmetry. It includes all of the stony corals, most of which are colonial and reef-forming, as well as all sea anemones, and zoanthids, arranged within five extant orders. The hexacorallia are distinguished from another class of Anthozoa, Octocorallia, in having six or fewer axes of symmetry in their body structure; the tentacles are simple and unbranched and normally number more than eight. These organisms are formed of individual soft polyps which in some species live in colonies and can secrete a calcite skeleton. As with all Cnidarians, these organisms have a complex life cycle including a motile planktonic phase and a later characteristic sessile phase. Hexacorallia also include the significant extinct order of rugose corals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parazoanthidae</span> Family of corals

Parazoanthidae is a family of cnidarians.

<i>Parazoanthus</i> Genus of sea anemones

Parazoanthus is a genus of anemone-like anthozoans in the order Zoantharia.

<i>Umimayanthus parasiticus</i> Species of coral

Umimayanthus parasiticus, commonly known as the sponge zoanthid, is a species of coral in the order Zoantharia which grows symbiotically on several species of sponge. It is found in shallow waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hawaiian gold coral</span> Species of coral

Hawaiian gold coral is a rare, extremely long-lived deep-sea coral found on seamounts near Hawaii. It is the only member of the monotypic genus Kulamanamana. Most colonies can live up to 2,470 years, based on a study using radiocarbon dating. In the Hawaiian Archipelago of the North Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian gold coral is a crucial species to the ecology of Hawaiian seamounts. This is because it is a dominant macro-invertebrate found in the deep sea, and thus provides an important habitat for an array of invertebrates and fish. Gold coral tissue is reflective under light, and colonies are bioluminescent when mechanically stimulated, or touched. It is predicted that this bioluminescence perhaps attracts prey, however more research is needed to determine exactly what purpose it serves. Although it has been harvested commercially for use in jewelry for a long time, it was not formally described by taxonomists until 2012 when it was found to be related to both the genus Savalia and the octocoral-associated zoanthid, Corallizoanthus tsukaharai. Prior to being formally classified and named Kulamanamana haumeaae, the Hawaiian gold coral was previously known as Gerardia sp.

<i>Zoanthus</i> Genus of corals

Zoanthus is a genus of anthozoans in the family Zoanthidae. It is the type genus for its family and order.

<i>Palythoa</i> Genus of corals

Palythoa is a genus of anthozoans in the order Zoantharia.

<i>Palythoa toxica</i> Species of Anthozoa

Palythoa toxica, also referred to by its Hawaiian common name, limu-make-o-Hana, is a species of zoanthid native to Hawaii. It is notable as the species in which palytoxin was discovered and from which it was first isolated.

<i>Cirrhipathes</i> Genus of corals

Cirrhipathes is a genus of black coral from the family Antipathidae. Coral species in this genus are commonly known as whip or wire corals because they often exhibit a twisted or coiled morphology. In addition to their colorful appearance, with colors ranging from yellow to red passing through blue and green, these species possess a dark skeleton that is characteristic to every black coral.

<i>Zoanthus gigantus</i> Species of coral

Zoanthus gigantus is a zoanthid first described from southern Japan.

<i>Zoanthus kuroshio</i> Species of coral

Zoanthus kuroshio is a species of zoanthid first described from southern Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brachycnemina</span> Suborder of cnidarians

Brachycnemina is a suborder of zoanthids in the order Zoantharia. Genetic analysis has been used to suggest Brachycnemina is a monophyletic group diverging within the paraphyletic Macrocnemina.

<i>Savalia savaglia</i> Species of coral

Savalia savaglia, commonly known as gold coral, is a species of colonial false black coral in the family Parazoanthidae. It is native to the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea where it often grows in association with a gorgonian. It is extremely long-lived, with a lifespan of 2,700 years, and develops into a large tree-like colony.

<i>Terrazoanthus onoi</i> Species of coral

Terrazoanthus onoi is a species of uncertain validity of macrocnemic zoanthid first found in the Galapagos. It is potentially a junior synonym of Terrazoanthus patagonichus. It can be distinguished by its bright red oral disk colour, having about 32–40 tentacles, and having only basitrichs and mastigophores present in its pharynx.

<i>Terrazoanthus sinnigeri</i> Species of coral

Terrazoanthus sinnigeri is a species of uncertain validity of macrocnemic zoanthid first found in the Galapagos. It is potentially a junior synonym of Terrazoanthus patagonichus. It can be distinguished by commonly occurring on rubble and rocks on sandy bottoms, having about 30–36 tentacles, and numerous nematocysts in its pharynx.

<i>Antipathozoanthus hickmani</i> Species of coral

Antipathozoanthus hickmani is a species of macrocnemic zoanthid first found in the Galapagos. It can be distinguished by its exclusive association with Antipathes galapagensis, and having about 40 tentacles.

<i>Parazoanthus darwini</i> Species of coral

Parazoanthus darwini is a species of macrocnemic zoanthid first found in the Galapagos. It can be distinguished by its association with sponges, by having about 24–30 tentacles and polyps embedded in a well-developed coenenchyme.

<i>Zoanthus sansibaricus</i> Species of zoanthid

Zoanthus sansibaricus is a species of zoanthid generally found in the Indo-pacific but also off the western coast of South America. The range of habitation has been noted in intertidal zones along with areas below 7 m, but shows phenotypical and morphological differences based on depth and shading. Shaded individuals contain larger polyps compared to unshaded. It can be divided into three reproductive categories, male, female and asexual. Spawning has been observed within the middle of July, using lunar phases as an indicator. Various subclades are theorized to appear based on the time of year.

<i>Palythoa heliodiscus</i> Species of cnidarian

Palythoa heliodiscus, the sunray zoanthid, is a species of cnidarian in the family Sphenopidae.

References

  1. ↑ Sinniger F., Montoya-Burgos J.I., Chevaldonne P., Pawlowski J. (2005) Phylogeny of the order Zoantharia (Anthozoa, Hexacorallia) based on the mitochondrial ribosomal genes. Mar. Biol. 147 (5): 1121-1128.
  2. ↑ Reimer J.D., Takishita K., Maruyama T. (2006) Molecular identification of symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium spp.) from Palythoa spp. (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) in Japan. Coral Reefs 25 (4): 521-527.
  3. ↑ Light. Sol Felty (2007). The Light and Smith Manual: Intertidal Invertebrates from Central California to Oregon. University of California Press. p. 177. ISBN   978-0-520-23939-5.
  4. ↑ Reimer J.D., Ono S., Iwama A., Tsukahara J., Takishita K., Maruyama T. (2006) Morphological and molecular revision of Zoanthus (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia) from southwestern Japan with description of two new species. Zoological Science 23 (3): 261-275.
  5. ↑ Reimer J.D., Hirano S., Fujiwara Y., Sinniger F., Maruyama T. (2007) Morphological and molecular characterization of Abyssoanthus nankaiensis, a new family, new genus and new species of deep-sea zoanthid (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) from a northwest Pacific methane cold seep. Inv. Syst. 21: 255-262.
  6. ↑ Reimer JD, Nonaka M, Sinniger F., Iwase F. (2008) Morphological and molecular characterization of a new genus and new species of parazoanthid (Anthozoa: Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) associated with Japanese red coral (Paracorallium japonicum) in southern Japan. Coral Reefs 27 (4):935–949.
  7. ↑ Sinniger F., Häussermann V. (2009) Zoanthids (Cnidaria: Hexacorallia: Zoantharia) from shallow waters of the southern Chilean fjord region with the description of a new genus and two new species. Org. Div. Evol. 9:23–36
  8. ↑ WoRMS (2018). "Zoanthidea". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  9. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Abyssoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  10. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Epizoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  11. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Hydrozoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  12. ↑ Sinniger, F.; Reimer, J. (2013). "Parazoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  13. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Neozoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2011-12-16.
  14. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Sphenopidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  15. ↑ Reimer, J. (2011). "Zoanthidae". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species . Retrieved 2016-09-24.
  16. ↑ "Zoanthid and Palythoa Coral Propagation". Tital Gardens. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22.
  17. ↑ "Palytoxin". www.cbwinfo.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  18. ↑ Deeds JR, Handy SM, White KD, Reimer JD (2011) Palytoxin Found in Palythoa sp. Zoanthids (Anthozoa, Hexacorallia) Sold in the Home Aquarium Trade. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18235. doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0018235
  19. ↑ Blue Zoo Aquatics informational resource: Handling Zoanthids - Some Zoanthids Produce a Deadly Toxin
  20. ↑ Sean Patrick Nordt, Jerry Wu, Stephen Zahller, Richard F. Clark, and F. Lee Cantrell (2009) Palytoxin Poisoning After Dermal Contact with Zoanthid Coral. Journal of Emergency Medicine (in press).
  21. ↑ Katrin Hoffmann, Maren Hermanns-Clausen, Claus Buhl, Markus W. Büchler, Peter Schemmer, Dietrich Mebs and Silke Kauferstein (2008). "A case of palytoxin poisoning due to contact with zoanthid corals through a skin injury". Toxicon 51, no. 8: 1535–1537.
  22. ↑ Elizabeth V. Wattenberg (2007). "Palytoxin: exploiting a novel skin tumor promoter to explore signal transduction and carcinogenesis". Am. J. Physiol. Cell Physiol. 292: C24–C32.
  23. ↑ .Nicholas Violand. "Aquarium Science: Palytoxin and You", Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
  24. ↑ Borneman, Eric H. (2001). Aquarium Corals: Selection, Husbandry, and Natural History. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H. Publications. p. 464. ISBN   1-890087-47-5.
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