Cryptopora norfolkensis, Bitner, Maria Aleksandra, 2009

Bitner, Maria Aleksandra, 2009, Recent Brachiopoda from the Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia, with description of four new species, Zootaxa 2235, pp. 1-39 : 8

Cryptopora norfolkensis sp. nov.

( Fig. 4 ; for a full systematic description see below)

The micromorphic brachiopod Cryptopora norfolkensis was found on five seamounts ( Tables 1, 2), with a depth range of 200 to 980 m ( Fig. 14 ). The genus Cryptopora has a worldwide distribution ( Logan 2007) but this is the first record from the Norfolk Ridge. D’Hondt (1987) reported C. boettgeri Helmcke, 1940 from the New Caledonian slope but he had limited material and did not investigate internal structures, making it difficult to assess the reliability of his species assignment. The material collected during the Norfolk 1 and 2 cruises comprises more than 290 specimens, all found in loose sediment.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Depth ranges of particular brachiopod species collected during the Norfolk 1 and Norfolk 2 cruises to the Norfolk Ridge, New Caledonia.

FIGURE 4. A – C, Cryptopora norfolkensis sp. nov., Norfolk Ridge, Norfolk 1. A, dorsal view of young complete specimen, paratype, MNHN BRA- 3131, Stn DW 1692, 507 – 967 m; B, C, dorsal view of complete specimen and enlargement of the umbonal part to show details of the beak, paratype, MNHN BRA- 3132, Stn DW 1697, 237 – 250 m; D – F, dorsal view of complete specimen, and enlargement of the umbonal part to show details of the beak (E) and fine capillation anterior to the protegular node (F), holotype, MNHN BRA- 3130, DW 1697, 237 – 250 m; G – I, dorsal valves, paratypes, Stn DW 1692, 507 – 967 m, G, H, inner and oblique views to show septum and crura, MNHN BRA- 3133, I, enlargement of posterior part to show details of cardinalia and crura, MNHN BRA- 3134; J – K, ventral valve, paratype, MNHN BRA- 3135, Stn DW 1692, 507 – 967 m, inner view, and enlargement of tilted views to show dental plates. All SEM.