What functions do gastrozooids, dactylozooids, and gonozooids perform?

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cnidarian A sea anemone from the genus *Tealia* attached to a rock.

In colonial cnidarians, members of the colony are often polymorphic, meaning individual zooids are specialized for specific physiological roles. The functions of the three types you mentioned are as follows:

Gastrozooids: These are specialized for feeding and typically bear tentacles used to capture prey.1
Dactylozooids: These are tentacleless polyps that are heavily armed with nematocysts; their primary function is the defense of the colony.1
Gonozooids: These are reproductive polyps that develop structures called gonophores. Depending on the species, they release either medusae or planula larvae.12