A new polychaete genus and species of the Kongsfjorden,Spitsbergen, Svalbard

Glyphochaeta laudieni, a new genus and species of the “Spionidae”, is described from the Arctic. The specimens were collected from the Kongsfjorden, Spitsbergen, Svalbard, in a marine grotto. Glyphochaeta laudieni was associated with colonies of unidentified Bryozoa. This new genus and species is characterized by a prostomium with frontal horns, the absence of branchiae and sabre chaetae, and the presence of grooved spines which replace hooded hooks in some chaetigers of the middle body region. These spines are associated with glandular organs situated in neuropodia. The significance of characters for determining the systematic position of Glyphochaeta within “Spionidae” is discussed. Glyphochaeta laudieni is probably related to Pygospio elegans.     

Macrobenthic communities in water bodies and streams of Svalbard,Norway

Diversity of macrobenthic communities was studied from water bodies and streams of Spitsbergen, Svalbard archipelago, Norway. In total 162 quantitative samples from different regions of Spitsbergen were analysed in relation to environmental variables. Macrobenthic communities were found on all kinds of substrates (except for the periglacial zone), representing a wide range of biological communities: solid-bottom, soft-bottom, macrophytes and small brook associated. However, taxonomical structure is very simplified, with particular dominance of the Chironomidae family. Chironomid larvae dominated highly in diversity, abundance and biomass. Overall macrobenthic communities were characteristic, with remarkable dominance of one species and general omnipresent taxonomical scarcity (average 2.8 species per sample). In total we found 30 taxa. We distinguished 16 types of macrobenthis communities, with characteristic dominance of different taxa: chironomids (11 types), oligochaete Enchytraeidae family (3), caddisfly Apatania zonella (1) and gammarid amphipod Gammarus setosus (1). Regarding environmental variables, temperature and pH had the most significant influence on the abundance of macrobenthic organisms. It is hypothesized that the structural convergence of different types of communities is their common response to extreme high Arctic living conditions. On the other hand, different chironomids may dominate in the same habitats and water bodies. This gives the effect of lower average similarity of communities and high β-diversity.     

New data on sponges from Svalbard Archipelago with a description of a new species of Halicnemia

Sponge fauna from the west and south of Svalbard archipelago was studied. A total of 28 species of sponges were identified. Five of them are new records to the study area and one is new to science. New records for Spitsbergen are: Axinella hispida (Koltun 1959), Haliclona rossica (Hentschel 1929), Myxilla (Myxilla) perspinosa (Lundbeck 1905), Sphaerotylus borealis (Swartschewsky 1906) and Suberites carnosus (Johnston 1842). A new species of sponge, Halicnemia wagini sp. nov., collected south-west of Spitsbergen on the continental slope at a depth of 423–425 m, is described. It is similar to Halicnemia patera (Bowerbank 1864) and H. verticillata (Bowerbank 1866) in skeleton architecture, but significantly differs in its spicule complement and external appearance. Primarily, distinct differences concern the morphology of microscleres. In comparison with Halicnemia patera, the new species has an additional category of acanthose microscleres presented by microstrongyles, while microscleres of H. verticillata are only slightly curved and also verticillately spined. The study area, west of Spitsbergen, establishes close relationships with North Atlantic due to warm Atlantic waters of the West Spitsbergen Current. Proximity of the new species to the North Atlantic representatives of Halicnemia genus allowed us to suggest that H. wagini sp. nov., both ecologically and morphologically, has stood apart as a distinct biological species in the conditions of the Arctic.

http://www.zoobank.org/lsid:zoobank.org:pub:2A09537B-63D7-4F07-A2AB-9C707A686333     

Revision of the type species of Metroperiella (Bryozoa,Cheilostomatida), with the description of two new species

We here fix the types of Schizoporella lepralioides Calvet in Jullien and Calvet, type species of the genus Metroperiella Canu & Bassler, and redescribe the species based on scanning electron microscope examination. Metroperiella populations from the Mediterranean Sea, which have hitherto been regarded as conspecific with Metroperiella lepralioides, are introduced as a new species, Metroperiella mesogeia sp. nov. Accordingly, the geographic distribution of M. lepralioides is restricted to its type locality, the Azores Archipelago (central North Atlantic). Another species, Metroperiella porellidesia sp. nov., which occurs sympatrically with M. lepralioides, is also newly described.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:523EA5DE-B023-48ED-8D85-37CAF5475164     

Two new species of heavily calcified cyclostome bryozoans from the intertidal of Akkeshi Bay,Hokkaido, Japan

Cyclostome bryozoans are relatively uncommon in intertidal habitats, where they are subordinate to cheilostomes and ctenostomes. Those that do occur tend to have small colonies that are relatively weakly calcified. Here we describe two new species of intertidal cyclostomes from Akkeshi Bay in northern Japan that are unusual in having large, heavily calcified colonies. One of these – Favosipora ainui sp. nov. – is the first species of this genus recorded from Japan. The second species – Disporella ezoensis sp. nov. – although belonging to a genus well known from Japan and elsewhere globally, is unusual for Disporella in possessing colonies that are vivid red in colour.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:995903E6-9C07-436A-B788-29BDE2FD5A88     

Exploitation of Cornucopina tuba (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) by Aetea curta (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

Distal portions of zooids of uniserial, encrusting Aetea colonies curve abruptly away from the encrusted substratum. This characteristic, plus highly directional growth capability, enabled A. curta infesting an erect Cornucopina tuba colony to position its feeding structures consistently above the host colony, perhaps as a rheophilic growth response of individual zooids to feeding currents set up by the host.     

Adriatic species of Schizomavella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata)

In this paper, material belonging to the genus Schizomavella, collected along the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea, is revised. Nine species were identified, including five species new to science: S. cornuta, S. halimedae, S. linearis, S. mamillata, S. adriatica sp. nov.,S. mystacea sp. nov., S. rosae sp. nov., S. stanislavi sp. nov. and S. tubulata sp. nov. Previous records of Schizomavella from the Adriatic are also discussed. The checklist of Adriatic Schizomavella species is updated to 11 species; a further two species are doubtful owing to wrong previous identifications. The presence of a calcified ‘hood’ covering the opesia of the suboral avicularium is described and its function is discussed. The morphological diversity of ovicells within the genus Schizomavella is compiled and discussed.

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:987D8AE0-1E02-430D-9AB5-50B77BEAF52E     

Species diversity of entomophilous plants and flower-visiting insects is sustained in the field margins of sunflower crops

Field margins are key landscape features sustaining biodiversity in farmland mosaics and through that, ecosystem services. However, agricultural intensification has encouraged fencerow removal to enlarge cropping areas, reducing farmland biodiversity and its associated ecosystems services. In the present work, we assess the role of field margins in retaining farmland biodiversity across the sunflower cropping area of Argentina. Flower-visiting insects and entomophilous plants were intensively sampled along the margins of sunflower fields, in eight locations across eastern Argentina. We recorded 149 species of flowering plants and 247 species of flower-visitors. Plants and arthropods were mostly natives. Most of the floral visitors captured provide ecosystem services to agriculture. Our results show that many species of beneficial insects and native plants occur in semi-natural linear features in the intensively managed farmland of Argentina. Field margins may constitute the last refugia of native plant species and their associated fauna in farmland mosaics. Conservation of field margins in Argentine farmland may therefore be essential for preserving biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.     

Notes on astogeny of some Petraliellidae (Bryozoa) from Australia

Members of the bryozoan family Petraliellidae share the capacity to develop basal rhizoids, which anchor the unilaminar, semi-repent parts of the colonies above the substratum, and enable them to overgrow other, competing sessile forms. Little is known of the larval behaviour and settlement, or the early astogeny of species. Ancestrulate colonies of the Australian Tertiary lunulitiform species Smittia biincisa are referred to the genus Riscodopa, and together with Riscodopa paucipora sp. nov. are described and compared with the Recent species R. cotyla and R. parva from New Zealand, and with R. hyalina sp. nov. from New South Wales, Australia. All the Recent species are known to develop basal rhizoids, and an early astogeny similar to that of many other small, rooted bryozoans, comprising the post-metamorphosis development of a binary complex, including rhizoid and feeding elements, is inferred for Riscodopa. Observations on living Hippopetraliella magna from Queensland suggest that both the ancestrular morphology and early astogeny show a capacity for semi-repent growth, even though they do not include rhizoid development. Larvae metamorphose without direct attachment, and the ancestrula develops elongated, partially calcified supporting processes, which raise the early stages of growth above the substratum. A similar kind of ancestrula has been found in preserved specimens of Mucropetraliella ellerii.     

New and little-known genera of cheilostome Bryozoa from the New Zealand region

The diagnostic characters of the cavernicolous genus Spelaeoblatta Bolívar, 1897, previously known only from a female, are given based on the male of S. thamfaranga n. sp. from Thailand. Nocticola adebratti n. sp. from Sabah is described.     

Species of Arachnopusia (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) collected by discovery investigations

Eighteen species of the cheilostome bryozoan genus Arachnopusia Jullien are described from Antarctic, Subantarctic and southern cold temperate localities. Eleven species are considered to be new to science. The morphology of Arachnopusia species is discussed, with particular reference to features of taxonomic value, and the zoogeography of the genus is considered briefly.     

New species of cheilostomate Bryozoa collected by the US Antarctic Research Program

Four new species of cheilostomate Bryozoa are described in the genera Chartella, Ogivalia, Melicerita and Cellarinella. The circumArctic genus Chartella is recorded for the first time from the subAntarctic. Alloeoflustra gen. nov. is introduced for three endemic Antarctic Flustridae.     

New species of cheilostomatous Bryozoa from subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands

Fifteen new species of cheilostomatous Bryozoa are described from the subantarctic Marion and Prince Edward Islands: Pyriporoides judyae, Valdemunitella dianae, Cornucopina elongata, Cornucopina bryonyae, Cornucopina antlera, Paracellaria elizabethae, Filaguria lithocrustata, Celleporella marionensis, Catenicella glabrosa, Ipsibuffonella hyalina, Parkermavella corrugata, Calloporina spinosa, Fenestrulina pumicosa, Microporella mandibulata, and Reteporellina berylae. Two species originally described from the region, Sclerodomus myriozoides and Reteporella gigantea, are here reported for only the second time, while three others, Celleporella alia, Celleporella bougainvillei, and Talivittaticella frigida, represent new records for Marion Island. Phonicosia jousseaumei was previously recorded from Marion Island as P. circinata.     

New species of cheilostomate Bryozoa from Antarctica and the Subantarctic southwest Atlantic

Fourteen new species of Bryozoa Cheilostomatida are described in the genera Chaperiopsis, Dakariella, Plesiothoa, Celleporella, Galeopsis, Osthimosia, Reteporella, Rhynchozoon and Turritigera. Acanthophragma gen. nov. is introduced for A. polaris sp. nov., and Tracheloptyx gen. nov. for T. antarctica sp. nov.     

The identity of Alcyonidium gelatinosum (Linnaeus, 1761) (Bryozoa: Ctenostomatida)

Since 1984, when Alcyonidium gelatinosum (Linnaeus, 1761) was shown not to be the free-growing species hitherto known by that name, it was assumed to be the valid name for A. polyoum (Hassall, 1841). We have established that its neotype is not a specimen of A. polyoum but of A. reticulum Ryland and Porter (2000) introduced for A. mytili auctt. non Dalyell (1848). A. reticulum must accordingly be relegated to the synonymy of A. gelatinosum. A. polyoum is a valid but different species and the provenance of Hassall's specimens is discussed. We deliberate the identity of the nominate species in Linnaeus' Fauna svecica (1761). While the occurrence of A. polyoum in the Kattegat-Mecklenburg Bight sea area cannot wholly be ruled out, the common species is A. reticulum (i.e. A. gelatinosum). The neotype does therefore represent the Swedish specimen(s) used by Linnaeus, and the identity of A. gelatinosum is at last correctly established.     

The species of Cellaria (Bryozoa: Cheilostomatida) with large avicularia from West Africa

The three species of Cellaria with large avicularia (the size of an autozooid) known from West Africa have been studied: C. atlantida Cook, C. cookae n. sp. and C. salicornioides Lamouroux. All three are figured by SEM. Cellaria cookae n. sp. is mainly distinguished by its avicularium, with arched and pointed rostrum and mandible and a cryptocyst with a rectangular lyrula. Cellaria atlantida is characterised by its bell shaped Cellaria avicularium. The recognition of C. salicornioides var. normani is considered to be unjustified, as the distinctive character, which is the existence of lateral branching, is only a feature of young colonies and tends to disappear later.     

Diversity and taxonomy of intertidal Bryozoa (Cheilostomata) at Akkeshi Bay,Hokkaido, Japan

We found 39 cheilostome species among more than 7000 specimens collected at 10 intertidal sites in rocky habitats along the shore of Akkeshi Bay, eastern Hokkaido Island, Japan. These species are herein described in detail and illustrated by scanning electron microscopy. Nine species (23% of total) are described as new (Electra asiatica, Callopora sarae, Conopeum nakanosum, Cauloramphus cryptoarmatus, Cauloramphus multispinosus, Cauloramphus niger, Stomachetosella decorata, Microporella luellae, and Celleporina minima), and 21 species (54%) are reported for the first time from Japan. Species richness ranged from eight to 29 species per study site. A TWINSPAN analysis showed the species fell into nine groups defined by the local pattern of distribution. A cluster analysis of study sites based on similarity of species composition showed three faunistic groups distributed geographically: in Akkeshi Lake, along the eastern‐central shore of the bay, and at the mouth of the bay. Species richness in estuarine Akkeshi Lake was low, with a species composition very different from the outer bay. Most cheilostomes were found on rock and shell substrata, but uncommonly occurred on concrete walls, algae, hydroids, tubes of polychaetes, other bryozoans, and anthropogenic debris. Of the 39 species found, 33 (85%) contained embryos during the collecting periods, 2–7 June and 3–6 July 2004. The biogeographical composition of intertidal cheilostomes at Akkeshi Bay included species with Arctic‐Boreal (28%), Boreal (59%), and Boreal‐Subtropical (13%) distributions. The overall species richness of intertidal cheilostomes was two‐thirds that documented intertidally in a comparable study at Kodiak, Alaska, a locality 15° higher in latitude. We attribute the lower richness at Akkeshi to differences in the nearshore marine environment between the two localities.