''Zoanthus'' is a
genus
Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...
of
anthozoans in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...
Zoanthidae. It is the type genus for its family and order.
Species
The following species are recognized in the genus ''Zoanthus'':
[(2018). Zoanthus Lamarck, 1801. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=206284 on 2018-08-28]
* ''
Zoanthus coppingeri''
Haddon & Shackleton, 1891
* ''
Zoanthus durbanensis''
Carlgren, 1938
* ''
Zoanthus gigantus''
Reimer & Tsukahara in Reimer, Ono, Iwama, Takishita, Tsukahara & Maruyama, 2006
* ''
Zoanthus kealakekuaensis''
Walsh & Bowers, 1971
* ''
Zoanthus kuroshio''
Reimer & Ono in Reimer, Ono, Iwama, Takishita, Tsukahara & Maruyama, 2006
* ''
Zoanthus mantoni'' (may be synonymous with ''
Zoanthus coppingeri'')
* ''
Zoanthus natalensis''
Carlgren, 1938
* ''
Zoanthus praelongus''
Carlgren, 1954
* ''
Zoanthus pulchellus''
(Duchassaing & Michelotti, 1860)
* ''
Zoanthus robustus''
Carlgren, 1950
* ''
Zoanthus sansibaricus''
Carlgren, 1900
* ''
Zoanthus sociatus''
(Ellis, 1768)
* ''
Zoanthus solanderi''
Le Sueur, 1818
* ''
Zoanthus vietnamensis''
Pax & Müller, 1957
Aquaria
![Zoanthus polyps](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Zoanthus_polyps.jpg)
Zoanthids are prized in the fishkeeping hobby, being relatively easy to raise and very colorful. Known as "button polyps" or "zoas" they can spread to completely cover a rock with brightly colored circular patterns. It also exhibits proteins similar to
green fluorescent protein
The green fluorescent protein (GFP) is a protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to light in the blue to ultraviolet range. The label ''GFP'' traditionally refers to the protein first isolated from the jellyfish ''Aequorea ...
.
See also
*
Norzoanthamine
References
Zoanthidae
Hexacorallia genera
{{Hexacorallia-stub