About Palythoa toxica Walsh & Bowers, 1971
Palythoa toxica is an encrusting species of zoanthid that has a firm, tough cuticle. Its polyps are partially embedded in a cushiony mat of coenenchyme. This coenenchymal mat grows across rock surfaces, and incorporates sand grains and small fragments of debris. Each polyp has a broad oral disc surrounded by a fringe of tentacles. Polyps can fully close and retract into the coenenchyme; after retraction, the coenenchymal surface becomes pitted. The colour of this species is variable, but it is most commonly some shade of cream, grey, or pale brown. P. toxica was first discovered in the small district of Muolea, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. It was initially found in a shallow pool roughly 25 centimetres (10 inches) deep. This pool receives inflows of fresh water during heavy rain, which suggests P. toxica is a euryhaline species. Since its initial discovery, the species has been found sporadically across the entire state of Hawaii.
