New and little-known ascophoran bryozoans from the Western Mediterranean, collected by 'Fauna Ibe´rica' expeditions

Abstract

Four species of ascophoran bryozoans are described from the Balearic and Columbretes Islands (Western Mediterranean). They are part of the results of the Spanish ‘Fauna III’ and ‘Fauna IV’ Expeditions to the Balearic Islands and the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Escharella quadrata n. sp. and Reteporella pelecanus n. sp. are new species probably never found before. Schizomavella halimedae (Gautier, 1955) n. comb. is a common epiphyte species previously considered as a form of Schizomavella discoidea (Busk), from which it differs in both morphological and ecological features. Turbicellepora robusta (Barroso, 1921) is a little known species, which needs an updating of its description. Se describen cuatro especies de las Islas Baleares y Columbretes, procedentes de las campañas ‘Fauna III’ y ‘Fauna IV’. Escharella quadrata n. sp. y Reteporella pelecanus n. sp. son nuevas especies que probablemente nunca se han encontrado antes. Schizomavella halimedae (Gautier, 1955) n. comb. es una especie epofita común que se ha citado como una forma de Schizomavella discoidea (Busk), de la que difiere en caracterosticas tanto morfológicas como ecológicas. Turbicellepora robusta (Barroso, 1921) es una especie muy poco conocida, de la que se actualiza la descripción.

Keywords:

• Bryozoa Gymnolaemata Cheilostomata Ascophora Spain Baleares Columbretes Western Mediterranean Taxonomy New Species