monactineadj.n.
/mɒˈnaktɪn/, U.S. /məˈnæktən/ Zoology. rare.
A. adj.
= monactinal adj. Cf. diactine adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Parazoa > phylum Porifera > [adjective] > relating to a sponge > of parts of sponge > having one ray
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1887 Encycl. Brit. XXII. 416 (Fig. 12) Typical megascleres. a, rhabdus (monaxon diactine); b, stylus (monaxon monactine).
1996 Jrnl. Zool. 238 725 Two new species are described: Dictyonella alonsoi, characterized by thick monactine megascleres which undergo different tip modifications, and Ciocalapata almae.
B. n.
A monactinal sponge spicule.
ΚΠ
1968 P. Brien in M. Florkin & B. T. Scheer Chem. Zool. II. i. 9 When the two monactines unite they form a monaxonal megasclere, pointed at its two ends, known as a diactine, which may be straight or bent.
1991 Canad. Jrnl. Earth Sci. 28 2042 Accessory spicules, including rhizoclones, chiastoclones, and monactines.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2002; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.1887