Brown Encrusting Zoanthid [Cyclozoanthus robustus]
Description
The Brown Encrusting Zoanthid is a species found in warmer marine environments, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. They are known for their rich brown color and circular polyps that closely resemble their orange counterparts. These polyps are tightly packed and encrust rock or coral substrates. They are sessile in nature and feed via plankton capture and photosynthesis, thanks to their symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae. A distinguishing feature of this species is its robustness, which allows the colony to thrive in high-flow areas.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Jellyfish, Sea Anemones, and Relatives
Cnidaria
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Sea Anemones and Corals
Anthozoa
|
| Order |
Zoanthids
Zoantharia
|
| Family |
Abyssoanthids
Abyssoanthidae
|
| Genus |
Cyclozoanthus
Cyclozoanthus
|