A new genus and three new species of Antarctic cheilostome Bryozoa

Three new cheilostome bryozoans species were discovered in the collections of the BIOPEARL I cruise to the Scotia Arc. The species were found on boulders from the continental slope and shelf-break of Powell Basin, South Georgia and Shag Rocks in Agassiz trawl catches from the RRS James Clarke Ross. Amphiblestrum henryi sp. nov. is characterised by a conspicuous avicularium acute to the frontal surface overarching more than half of the opesia. On the distobasal edge of the avicularium there are 1-4 processes pointed distally and distolaterally. Inferusia taylori gen. et sp. nov. is characterised by a reduced gymnocyst, extensive costate frontal shield, and an avicularium distal of the orifice. Antarctothoa haywardi sp. nov. has three types of zooids: autozooids, male and female, the males possessing a tiny orifice in relation to zooid size. The species is very similar to Antarcothoa alia but the shape of the autozooidal orifice, with its deeper and narrower sinus, as well as a lack of condyles in the proximal corners of the male orifice allow the species to be recognized as new.

Details