Species of genus Schizotheca Hincks (Bryozoa, Cheilostomata) described in the Atlantic‐Mediterranean region, with notes on some species of Parasmittina Osburn

Abstract

Material held in collections, originally ascribed to the genus Schizotheca and originating from the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean, is revised. Two new species are described: Schizotheca carmenae sp. nov. from Azores and Portugal, originally cited as Strophiella tubigera [sic], and Schizotheca buski sp. nov. from Cape Verde and Brazil, originally cited as Schizotheca fissa. Schizotheca talismani, also from Cape Verde, is redescribed from original material and transferred to the genus Parasmittina. The Atlantic species Schizotheca tuberigera is redescribed and a new synonymy is established. Schizotheca aviculifera, from Morocco, is also redescribed and a lectotype designated. A lectotype is also chosen for Schizotheca fissa, type species of the genus. Schizotheca lepida, from north France, is considered to be an unrecognizable species.

Keywords:

• Biogeography
• Bryozoa
• Cheilostomata
• Mediterranean
• NE Atlantic
• new species
• Parasmittina
• Schizotheca

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the following people who allowed us to examine material in collections in several different institutions: Dr J.‐L. d’Hondt and Dr Y. Gayrard (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris), Miss M. E. Spencer Jones (National History Museum, London), Mr H. McGhie and Mrs R. Smith (The Manchester Museum), Ms S. Vaucheret (National Museum of Ireland), and Ms M. Bruni (Musée Océanographique de Monaco). Many other people have contributed in one way or another to accomplishing this study, through their comments or by providing unpublished data, bibliographic references, or photographs: Dr P. J. Hayward (University of Wales), Dr H. Chaney (Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History), Dr A. H. Cheetham and Dr J. A. Sanner (Smithsonian Institution), Dr J. Jackson (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institution), and Dr F. K. McKinney (Appalachian State University). We especially thank Dr J.‐G. Harmelin (Station Marine d’Endoume, Marseille) for his helpful comments and for providing us with material from his own collection. The scanning electron micrographs (except those indicated in the text) were produced by Mr Ramiro Barreiro (Servicio de Microscopía da Universidade de Santiago de Compostela).