Bairdoppilata alcyonicola Maddocks, 1969

Maddocks, Rosalie F., 2022, Taxonomic applications of the esophageal flapper valve in Bairdoppilata and Glyptobairdia (Bairdiidae, Ostracoda), with comments on anatomy, ontogeny, and geography, Zootaxa 5175 (3), pp. 301-342 : 310

Bairdoppilata alcyonicola Maddocks, 1969

( Figures 1A–K , 2A–E )

1969 Bairdoppilata (Bairdoppilata) alcyonicola Maddocks : 71, figs. 36A–H, 37A–H, 38A–C.

1995 Bairdoppilata alcyonicola Maddocks. —Maddocks, p. 216, pl. 6, figs. 1–4; pl. 14, figs. 7–8.

Material Examined: Five juvenile specimens and several subfossil carapaces from sands of the fringing reef, Nosy Be, Madagascar.

Dimensions: Specimen 168J: LVL 0.706 mm, LVH 0.404 mm; RVL 0.698 mm, RVH 0.373. Specimen 523J: RVL 0.703 mm, RVH 0.399. Specimen 524J: LVL 0.719 mm, LVH 0.419 mm. Specimen 764W: LVL 0.970 mm, LVH 0.590, RVL 0.930, RVH 0.530 mm. Specimen 2629WF: LVL 0.930 mm, LVH 0.590 mm, RVL 0.950 mm, RVH 0.520 mm. Specimen 3089WM: LVL 0.880 mm, LVH 0.540 mm, RVL 0.900 mm, RVH 0.490 mm. A height: length scatter plot for adult valves was published by Maddocks (1995, Graph 1).

Esophageal Valve: The plate is flat and thin ( Fig. 1G ) The evenly curved posterior perimeter carries 12 low, mound-like teeth, of equal size and evenly spaced, which project upward (dorsally) and very slightly posteriorly. The two corner teeth are no larger than the others, have an indistinct or no secondary cusp (not compound), and are set apart from the others by only a small gap. A solitary guide pin (setule) rises at a shelf outside each corner from the ventral brush below. The anterolateral scroll is asymmetrical, with a triangular tab.

Anatomical Remarks: The adult carapace has a somewhat irregular texture produced by numerous tiny puncta, which are not aligned in rows and are separated by broader muri ( Maddocks 1995, Pl. 6, figs. 1–4; Pl. 14, figs. 7–8). The caudal process may be slightly thickened, but there is no horizontal bar. Delicate posteroventral marginal denticles may be present. The opaque pattern consists of a broad, irregular vertical streak across the central region, which almost reaches the ventral margin, narrows above mid-height, and does not reach the dorsal margin ( Figs. 2A–B ). Small opaque spots are also present at the anterodorsal and posterodorsal corners.

The A–1 carapace is thin–walled with delicately impressed, shallow, round puncta ( Figs. 1A–C ). The opaque pattern consists of an elongate central spot over the AMS, a long band along the anteroventral margin, and a spot filling the posteroventral angle. Marginal denticles are not well developed on the juvenile LV, but the RV has broad anterior and posterior fringes. The fused zone (infold) is narrow. The anterior and posterior vestibules are deep and connected through the ventral region. The inner lamella is very weakly calcified and not as wide as in adults. About 6 large sensilla are located at the caudal angle ( Fig. 1B ). In the vestibule of a molting A–1, folds of new cuticle with attached marginal and carapace sensilla are stored ( Fig. 1H ).

In juveniles the anterodistal antennal claw is represented by a short, tapering anlage. In a molting individual one can see the tip of the adult anterodistal claw being withdrawn from this A–1 anlage ( Figs. 1D, F ).

Figures

FIGURE 1. A–K, Bairdoppilata alcyonicola Maddocks. A–E, molting juvenile specimen 523J: A, RV exterior, showing puncta, sensilla, NPC, inner margin, weakly calcified proximal zone of inner lamella, narrow infold, and marginal frills; ventral edge is damaged; B, posterior caudal angle of RV exterior, showing inner margin, weakly calcified inner lamella, narrow infold, marginal sensilla, and frill; C, anterior margin of RV exterior, with inner margin, weakly calcified inner lamella, infold, marginal sensilla, and frill; D, A2 distal claws, molting; E, zygum and both furcae. F–H, molting juvenile specimen 524J: F, A2 distal claws, molting; G, plate of EV, with uniform row of teeth; H, LV exterior, molting; folded sensilla of new valve are visible beneath old valve. I–K, molting juvenile specimen 168J: I–J, RV and LV exteriors, showing inner margin, broad but weakly calcified inner lamella with continuous vestibules, narrow infold, and characteristic patch pattern; anterodorsal edge of LV is damaged; K, exterior view of posteroventral edge of LV, showing sensilla of new valve folded chevron-style within vestibule of instar. L–Q, Bairdoppilata cratericola Maddocks. O–P, juvenile specimen 973J: L, A2 claws; M, plate of EV. N–Q, adult female specimen 972F: N, genital lobe and spermatophore; O, RV exterior, with low focus to show broad infold, well calcified inner lamella, shallow, separate vestibules, and marginal frills; P, LV exterior, high focus to show puncta, NPC, MSP, and patch pattern; Q, A2 distal claws. Scale bar = 50 µm.

FIGURE 2. A–E, Bairdoppilata alcyonicola Maddocks, adult specimen 764W: A, RV exterior; B, LV exterior; C, RV interior, denticles on anterodorsal edge; D, RV interior, lateral view of hinge, showing ligamental striation on dorsal surface of hinge bar and teeth; E, LV interior, lateral view of hinge, showing ligamental striation on dorsal surface of hinge groove and sockets; arrows point toward anterior. F–H, Bairdoppilata cratericola Maddocks, adult specimen 763W. F, RV exterior, G, LV exterior; H, RV interior, AMS, arrow points toward anterior. Scale bar = 50 µm.