A new genus of cheilostomate bryozoan, Stephanotheca n. gen., is introduced for several species previously placed in thegenus Schizomavella. This new genus differs from Schizomavella mainly in its ovicell closure, with a dimorphic orifice closed by the zooidal operculum. Nine species are placed in the genus Stephanotheca n. gen. Stephanotheca barrosoi n.sp., type species of the genus, was previously reported as Schizomavella ambita. Stephanotheca ambita is redescribed from the original Australian material, while Stephanotheca watersi n. sp., previously reported as Schizomavella ambita and Schizomavella rudis, is described from material collected in the western Mediterranean. Stephanotheca victoriensis n. sp. is described for other Australian specimens. The rest of the species are closely similar, so they are grouped in the Stephanotheca ochracea species group. Stephanotheca ochracea, redescribed from its holotype, is the only Atlantic species of the genus. A lectotype and paralectotypes are chosen for Stephanotheca monoecensis. Stephanotheca triangulata n. sp. and Stephanotheca perforata n. sp. were previously reported as S. ochracea. Finally, Stephanotheca arrogata is redescribed from the original material. The structure of the ovicell of Stephanotheca, its opening, with a dimorphic orifice closed by the zooidal operculum, and the presence of zooids with extremely enlarged orifices suggest that this genus belongs to the family Lanceoporidae, which must be transferred from the Schizoporelloidea to the Smittinoidea owing to its smittinoid ovicell. |
