Cape zoanthid

The Cape zoanthid (Isozoanthus capensis) is a species of zoanthid in the family Parazoanthidae.[2]

Cape zoanthid
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthozoa
Order: Zoantharia
Family: Parazoanthidae
Genus: Isozoanthus
Species:
I. capensis
Binomial name
Isozoanthus capensis
Carlgren, 1905[1]

Description

The Cape zoanthid is a small colonial, anemone-like anthozoan. It grows up to 0.5 cm across. It has an upright hollow columnar body with a tentacle-ringed mouth. It is orange to pink with a few spiky tentacles and a sand coated body column.[3]

Distribution

It has so far been found only from the Cape Peninsula and to Port St Johns on the South African coast. It appears to be endemic to this area, and lives in shallow water.

Ecology

This zoanthid is usually found in small colonies of around 20-50 individuals under overhangs. It feeds on plankton.[3]

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References
  1. http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=564965 accessed 18 July 2011
  2. Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. 2010. Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0
  3. Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9


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