ANTHOTHELIDAE Broch, 1916

Moore, Kirrily M., Alderslade, Philip & Miller, Karen J., 2017, A taxonomic revision of Anthothela (Octocorallia: Scleraxonia: Anthothelidae) and related genera, with the addition of new taxa, using morphological and molecular data, Zootaxa 4304 (1), pp. 1-212 : 19

ANTHOTHELIDAE Broch, 1916

Anthothelidae Broch, 1916: 14

Diagnosis: (sensu stricto). Monomorphic scleraxonians with a central medulla, which may contain longitudinal coelenteric canals, formed of tightly packed but not fused sclerites, separated from the cortex by a boundary of longitudinal canals; polyps retractile into calyces; sclerites comprised of tuberculate rods, sticks and spindles (often clavate or bent), clubs and capstans.

Remarks: The family Anthothelidae was originally created to incorporate scleraxonian specimens with a ring of boundary canals separating the cortex from the medulla. This family grouping is now in doubt with evidence that the family is polyphyletic and indications that this morphological feature has evolved multiple times ( McFadden et al. 2010; Cairns & Wirshing 2015).