Bryopesanser ascendosolaris, Tilbrook, Kevin J., 2012

Tilbrook, Kevin J., 2012, Review of the bryozoan genus Bryopesanser Tilbrook, 2006 (Escharinidae: Cheilostomata) with the description of 11 new species, Zootaxa 3165, pp. 39-63 : 53

Bryopesanser ascendosolaris n. sp.

(Figures 32–34, Table 1)

Escharina pesanseris: Harmer 1957 (part): 998.

Material. Holotype (here selected): NHMUK 1998.6.318.8, Japan (possibly Mitsukuri, 1, reg. 23 September 1896, cited by Harmer, 1957: 999.)

Description. Colony very small, comprising only about 12 zooids; precocious. Autozooids 0.60–0.75 x 0.40– 0.50 mm, hexagonal or irregularly polygonal, distinct, separated by shallow grooves. Frontal shield smooth, slightly convex, evenly perforated with very few small pores, areolae laterally and proximally at each angle. Primary orifice longer than wide, ca 0.12 x 0.11 mm excluding sinus, anter deeply arched, proximal border straight, condyles minutely denticulate, sinus drop-shaped, much longer than wide. Oral spines 7, evenly spaced. Proximal peristome slightly flared, no median mucro. Avicularia originating lateral to most proximal pair of spines, rostra medium-sized, open-ended distally, crossbar complete, distally or distomedially directed, mandibles fan-shaped. Ovicell hyperstomial, with a raised process frontally. Ovicellate zooids with 6 oral spines, the most distal pair incorporated into ovicell.

Etymology. Latin ascendensus, climbing, rising; sol, sun: Named for the type locality, Japan, the land of the rising sun.

Remarks. Bryopesanser ascendosolaris n. sp. is characterised by the details of the primary orifice with its straight proximal border, minutely denticulate condyles, and the slightly flared peristome that does not develop a proximal mucro. The smooth frontal shield and abundance of frontal pores is also characteristic.

Bryopesanser ascendosolaris differs n. sp. from B. pesanseris in the shape of its oral condyles and the slightly flared peristome that does not develop a proximal mucro. B. ascendosolaris n. sp. produces the least-defined peristome of the Bryopesanser species described herein.

Distribution. Bryopesanser ascendosolaris sp. nov. is known from a single colony found in Japan.