This paper describes a fauna of 98 species of ascophorine bryozoans from 1984-89 MUSORSTOM cruises, mainly in the New Caledonian EEZ. Ten of the species occur solely in the Philippines and some species occur in both regions. The fauna is noteworthy for its endemism (57 of the 84 New Caledonian species, i.e., 68%, are endemic) and its high taxonomic novelty, the latter contributing to a clearer appreciation of the taxonomic limits of some genera and families. Two new families (Phorioppniidae, Buffonellodidae), 54 new species, and 16 new genera are described, mostly from New Caledonia; some, from elsewhere, are the consequence of systematic revision. The new genera are: Xynexecha (Exechonellidae), Parkermavella (Bitectiporidae), Phorioppnia, Oppiphorina, Punctiscutella (Phorioppniidae), Haswelliporina, Mosaicoporina (Porinidae), Wrigiana, Ijimaia (Calwelliidae), Ipsibuffonella, Maiabuffonella (Buffonellodidae), Macrocamera (Eminoeciidae), Pseudoplatyglena (Euthyrisellidae), Richbunea (Celleporidae), Lifuella (Phidoloporidae), and Ptoboroa (Batoporidae). The most speciose family in the collection is the Phidoloporidae, represented by 7 genera and 19 species. The most speciose genus in the collection is, remarkably, the little-known deep-sea genus Siphonicytara, with 6 species, all new, which more than doubles the number of species previously described. Ten of the species in the New Caledonian fauna studied here are shared only with New Zealand, and 4 only with the Philippines. |
