'Mobility of this genus is facultative which means they have the capacity to move around but not always will they exhibit it. Heterocyathus could have zooxanthellae in shallow water, however, they may live on without symbiotic algae at deeper depths.[4] The Heterocyathus species is sometimes hermatypic or a hard coral primarily responsible for reef-building. In the case of Heterocyathus, reefs are made as the species produces layers of calcium carbonate beneath their bodies. [5] They show epifaunal characteristics and hence are seen in deeper areas of water. They are microcarnivores[6] feeding on tiny organisms.[7] A species of hermit crabs, Diogenidae Heteropsammia, allows for the Heterocyathus the ability to roam around the seafloor. [8]
Symbiotic Relationships
Heterocyathus has both a mutualism and parasitism relationship with another organism called the Albian scleractinian- sipunculan (commonly known as a type of worm). The coral benefits since the worm offers nutrients and food, meanwhile the worm benefits since the coral is a form of protection or shelter. However, if the shell of the coral outgrows the worm, the worm benefits by gaining total protection, thus making a parasitism relationship [9]
^Milne Edwards, H. & Haime, J. (1848). "Recherches sur les Polypiers. Deuxième Mémoire". Annales des Sciences Naturelles. Monographie des Turbinolides. 9: 211–344.
^ Wijsman-Best M, Faure G, Pichon M. (1980). Contribution to the knowledge of the stony corals from the Seychelles and Eastern Africa. Revue Zoologique Africaine. 3: 600-627, pls. 9-`12.
^A new species of hermit crab, Diogenes heteropsammicola (Crustacea, Decapoda, Anomura, Diogenidae), replaces a mutualistic sipunculan in a walking coral symbiosis
^Stolarski, J., Zibrowius, H., & Loser, H. A. N. N. E. S. (2001). Antiquity of the scleractinian-sipunculan symbiosis. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, 46(3).
^ Hoeksema, B.W. & M.B. Best, 1991. New observations on scleractinian corals from Indonesia: 2. Sipunculan-associated species belonging to the genera Heterocyathus and Heteropsammia. ? Zoologische Mededelingen, Leiden 65: 221-245.
