Stephanidium Hertwig, 1888

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 : 19-20

Stephanidium Hertwig, 1888

Stephanidium Hertwig, 1888: 52.

Type species.

Stephanidium schulzii Hertwig, 1888, by monotypy.

Gender.

Neuter.

Diagnosis.

Very small (diameter 1.5-2.2 mm, height 1 mm), unitary polyps, with microcnemes and macrocnemes, although their arrangement could not be clearly seen. Mesenteriel insertions make body wall to have a furrowed appearance, with spherical evaginations on the body wall above the area where the sphincter muscle is present. Twenty-six mesenteries.

Remarks.

From the original description, possibly a species of zoantharian, but type material needs to be located and examined. We make no decision as to the validity of this genus and species in the event that the identification of this genus and species requires a reversal of precedence Article 23.9 ( ICZN 1999: 27, 28) with a later (but more widely-used name). Also, the genus-group name Stephanidium Hertwig, 1888, is preoccupied by Stephanidium Ehrenberg, 1839 (incerta sedis).