Review of Actinia, isaci'inia, and Cnidopus (Cnidama: Anthozoa) in New Zealand

Abstract The taxonomic characters defining the actiniid genera Actinia Linnaeus, 1758, Isactinia Carlgren, 1900, and Cnidopus Carlgren, 1934, are reviewed. Currently, these genera are represented in New Zealand by four species: Actinia tenebrosa Farquhar, 1898; Actinia striata Quoy & Gaimard, 1833; Isactinia olivacea (Hutton, 1879); and Cnidopus veratra (Drayton, 1848). The description of Actinia striata by Quoy & Gaimard (1833) is insufficient to recognise the species, although it is probably not an Actinia as redefined by Carlgren. (1949). Since type specimens have not been located, the species cannot be assigned to the appropriate taxon. Actinia striata Quoy & Gaimard, 1833, is also a junior primary homonym of Actinia striata Risso, 1826, and it seems best to permanently reject the name and description of Actinia striata Quoy & Gaimard. Anemones previously regarded as Isactinia olivacea may actually be any of three species of similar external appearance: Isactinia olivacea; Cnidopus veratra; or one other, which Parry (1951) suggested could be Isanemonia australis Carlgren, 1950. Identifications of anemones as Isactinia olivacea should therefore be carefully verified. Isactinia tenebrosa is an erroneous combination first used by Morton & Miller (1968).