Taxonomy of the Cyclostome Bryozoan Liripora MacGillivray and Some Related Australasian Taxa

Abstract

Taxonomic problems concerning the identity of the cyclostome bryozoan genus Liriporø MacGillivray, 1BB7 are addressed. The valid type species of Liripora ß Diøstopora fasciculntø MacGillivray, 1885, not D. lineøta MacGillivray, 1BB5 as has often been assumed. This latter species is the tlpe species of Desmepløgioec.ia Canu and Bassler, 1920 erroneously regarded as an objective junior synonym of Liriporø. scanning electron microscopic study of Liripora shows the genus to have an unusual colony construction: autozooids at distal growing edges have interior-walled peristomes that protrude above the level of a laterally extensive kenozooidal space bounded proximally by a sloping interior wall. Skeletally mature autozooids generally lack or have only very limited areas of exterior frontal wall s.s., the upper surface of the colony being formed instead by the calcified exterior frontal walls of the surrounding kenozooids. In addition to the type species, t\iyo new species from New zealand-Liripora pseudosørniensis and L. Inb-ifera-are ptaced in the genus, which appears to be endemic to Australasia. The three nominal species of Liripora are described, together wlt]n Desme-ptøgioecia linedtd and a new species-Mesenteripora triregorum-lhat shows some resemblance to LiriPorø.