Palythoa mutuki is a species of zoanthid generally found in the Indo-Pacific but also common off the west coast of South America. It occurs at depths ranging between 0 - 28m, being found in both marine and intertidal zones. It was found to hold a higher diversity of associated species than Zoanthus sansibaricus, which inhabits a similar niche. Recent research has indicated that several compounds taken from the ethanolic extract of Palythoa Mutuki have shown strong anti-viral activity towards the dengue virus, which may someday contribute towards a cure for the disease.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it venomous or poisonous?
Considered poisonous. Public sources list it as such; we have not verified this individually. The note covers its whole genus. Some members of the genus Palythoa produce the highly toxic palytoxin Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Palythoa grandiflora — considered poisonous
- Zoanthus gigantus
- Zoanthus sansibaricus
- Zoanthus vietnamensis
- Zoanthus kuroshio
- Gyractis sesere
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Cnidaria
- Class
- Anthozoa
- Order
- Zoantharia
- Family
- Sphenopidae
- Genus
- Palythoa
- Species
- Palythoa mutuki
Found one? Take a photo and B.inomen will suggest what it is, free.
Check your photo