Diet

• Terrazoanthus species are suspension-feeding zoantharians that capture small organisms and organic particles from the surrounding water.

• The polyps use their numerous nematocyst-bearing tentacles to immobilize zooplankton and other small particles before transporting them to the mouth.

• Feeding is supplemented in some zoantharians by nutrients obtained from symbiotic photosynthetic dinoflagellates, although the importance of these symbionts varies among species.

• The genus is also known to produce diverse secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, which may have ecological and defensive functions.

Range

• Eastern Pacific species occur from the Gulf of California and Pacific Mexico southward through Central America to Ecuador and Chile.

• Species of Terrazoanthus occur in Mexican Pacific waters, although the genus is relatively inconspicuous and some species occupy cryptic habitats.

Habitat

• Terrazoanthus species are generally associated with rocky substrates rather than living obligatorily on other organisms, which distinguishes the genus from several related zoantharians.

• They occur in shallow marine environments, including rocky reefs, crevices, undersides of rocks, rubble and other hard surfaces.

• Some species occupy particularly cryptic locations, including narrow cracks and shaded spaces beneath rocks or rubble.

• Colonies may occur in areas exposed to strong wave action and surge, including shallow reef environments and rocky coastal habitats.

Description

• Terrazoanthus species are colonial zoantharians consisting of individual polyps embedded in a common tissue known as coenenchyme.

• The polyps are relatively small and cylindrical, with a prominent oral disc surrounded by numerous slender tentacles.

• The column and coenenchyme are commonly heavily encrusted with sand grains and other mineral particles, giving many species a rough, camouflaged appearance.

• Colouration varies considerably among species and includes bright red, white, yellow, brown, cream and greyish forms.