Thoracactis Gravier, 1918

Low, Martyn E. Y., Sinniger, Frederic & Reimer, James Davis, 2016, The order Zoantharia Rafinesque, 1815 (Cnidaria, Anthozoa: Hexacorallia): supraspecific classification and nomenclature, ZooKeys 641, pp. 1-80 : 9

Thoracactis Gravier, 1918

Thoracactis Gravier, 1918: 12.

Thoracactus Walsh, 1967: 49 [unjustified emendation and junior objective synonym].

Toracactis Herberts, 1972: 80 [incorrect spelling].

Type species.

Thoracactis topsenti Gravier, 1918, by monotypy.

Gender.

Masculine.

Diagnosis.

Rudimentary sphincter muscles, azooxanthellate, with no mesogleal channels or lacunae, found on hexactinellid sponges.

Remarks.

This is a monospecific genus comprised of only the type species Thoracactis topsenti . In describing Thoracactis topsenti , Gravier (1918) incorrectly identified it as an actinian (anemone) based on the lack of zooxanthellae, channels, gaps, or cell islets. Although currently placed in the family Epizoanthidae , based on the current understanding of the type species, this genus is referable to the family Parazoanthidae , although an examination of the type material will be necessary to confirm this (see Reimer et al. 2010a: 158).