Revision of Hawaiian seamount Zoanthidea genera to bridge the parataxonomy gap, retain Gerardiidae, and introduce Antipathozoanthidae fam. nov. and Vitrumanthidae fam. nov

Taxa defined through Molecular Parataxonomy are taxon inquirendum that require assessment of defining features before its hypotheses become useful or discredited within the existing taxonomic system. In the cnidarian order Zoanthidea, these parataxonomic definitions paired with gross anatomical features are irreconcilable with historical taxa at the family level and below. Here, we revise genera Kulamanamana, Zibrowius, Hurlizoanthus, Kauluzoanthus, and Bullagummizoanthus and their type species to include diagnostic characters accessible only via serial histological examination of microanatomy. Each genus was found to exhibit cyclically transitional marginal musculature arrangements which are diagnostic of Gerardiidae. This revision bridges the parataxonomic gap created by definitions based on barcodes, provides characters that are more accessible to researchers and historical specimens, contributes to our understanding on the evolution of form, verifies and revises existing taxa while addressing an ongoing debate about intrafamilial partitions of Parazoanthidae. This contribution supports the retention of Gerardiidae and erects families Antipathozoanthidae fam. nov. and Vitrumanthidae fam. nov., while suppressing three families for inconsistencies with phylogeny and ICZN nomenclature rules, and one order-level nomen for being unavailable for the entire history of its usage.