The first recent species of the unusual brachiopod Kakanuiella (Thecideidae) from New Zealand deep waters

Abstract

A new thecideid brachiopod species Kakanuiella chathamensis sp. nov. is described from deep waters on the Chatham Rise, east of South Island, New Zealand. The new species bears an unusual character combination in the shell morphology of its dorsal valve, displaying a mixture of diagnostic characters of both Recent thecideid subfamilies Thecidellininae and Lacazellinae. The resultant consequences for the systematic position of the genus Kakanuiella are discussed. © The Natural History Museum.