Cyrtentactinia Foreman 1963

Cyrtentactinia Foreman, 1963: 284.

TYPE SPECIES. — Cyrtentactinia primotica Foreman, 1963 (Foreman 1963: 285, pl. 8, fig. 2a-c, pl. 9, fig. 3a-b).

AGE AND LOCATION OF TYPE MATERIAL. — Upper Devonian, Huron member, Ohio Shale, USA.

TAXON CODE. — 229.

STATUS. — Valid.

DIAGNOSIS. — “Relatively large spherical or subspherical cephalis, enclosing a spicule with six to perhaps eight (commonly seven) rays arising from the ends of an oblique median bar. Thorax, perforate or imperforate, with or without marginal teeth, not separated from the cephalis by regular collar pores. The rays of the internal spicule continue beyond the wall of the cephalis, and in and beyond the wall of the cephalis, and in and beyond the thoracic wall, as external spines” (Foreman 1963: 284).

REVISED DIAGNOSIS. — “A single, perforate, pylomate lattice shell with internal spicular system incorporating six or seven rays. Externally, more than four main spines, usually seven and only rarely five, two to four of which are incorporated in the pylome margin. A pylome net is sometimes present and in some species, and in some individuals of other species, it is considered that spicules are secondary lost.” (Holdsworth 1973: 122).