New family of sea anemones (Actiniaria,Acontiaria) from deep polar seas

We describe and illustrate two new species from polar deep seas that belong to a new genus and family. Antipodactidae fam. nov. is characterized by acontia with macrobasic p-amastigophores; this type of nematocyst has never been reported from acontia. Antipodactis gen. nov. is characterized by a column with a distinct scapus and scapulus, cuticle-bearing tenaculi on the scapus, more mesenteries proximally than distally, mesenteries regularly arranged, restricted and reniform retractor musculature, and macrobasic p-amastigophores in the acontia. Antipodactis scotiae sp. nov. and A. awii sp. nov. differ in number of mesenteries, retractor and parietobasilar muscles, cnidae, and geographic distribution. We discuss the familial and generic characters of Antipodactis gen. nov. and its relationship to other families of acontiarian sea anemones: it most closely resembles members of Kadosactidae in terms of anatomy and some aspects of cnidom, and has a cnidom identical to that of Diadumenidae in terms of the types of nematocysts. Because the morphology of nematocysts is critical to the diagnosis of this family, we review and comment on the nomenclature of mastigophores. The macrobasic p-amastigophores of Antipodactidae fam. nov. conform to England’s (Hydrobiologia 216/217:691–697, 1991) definition rather than that of Mariscal (Coelenterate Biology. Academic Press, New York, pp 129–178, 1974).