Why do zoas have palytoxin and not other corals?

[noobreefer2]

Why do zoas/palys have palytoxin and not other corals? What causes them to have it?

 

[KrisReef]

Chemical warfare has not evolved in all species of aquatic animals.

Those that have it do

 

[Tahoe61]

Other coral types have different defense mechanisms. Look at Hydnophoria or Fire Corals. Even coralmorphs have defensive mechanisms. Zoanthids don't have mesenterial filaments.

 

[Spare time]

Probably was selected for due to predation.

 

[exnisstech]

Not all snakes are poisonous..

 

[thamnasteroid]

Zoanthids don't have mesenterial filaments.

Zoantharians do have mesenterial filaments, actually; they just don't expell them commonly like other corals. All Anthozoans do; its what's used to digest their food.

 

[SauceyReef]

Evolution. I imagine there is so much to learn about all the chemicals produced from all the different corals - we have probably just relatively scratched the surface.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Other corals mat not, but other things in your tank can...

Dinoflagellates: Some species of dinoflagellates in the genus Ostreopsis produce palytoxin.
Cyanobacteria: Filamentous cyanobacteria in the genus Trichodesmium produce palytoxin

 

[Tamberav]

Cyanobacteria can have palytoxun, probably why chemi clean occasionally nukes tanks, just the dying toxic cyano.

 

[Tamberav]

Oops! Just got beat to the answer!

 

[Tahoe61]

Zoantharians do have mesenterial filaments, actually; they just don't expell them commonly like other corals. All Anthozoans do; its what's used to digest their food.

You are absolutely correct.