Hippaliosina imperfecta (Canu & Bassler, 1928a)

(Figs. 60–61)

Gephyrophora imperfecta Canu & Bassler, 1928a: 86, pl. 7, fig. 1.

Hippaliosina imperfecta: Winston et al. 2014: 209, fig. 44 (cum syn.); Almeida et al. 2015b: 5.

Material examined. UFBA 2065, UFBA 2395, Camamu Bay, 13°53’S, 38°59’W, 18–20 m, coll. October 2012 (on sponge Myrmekioderma sp.).

Remarks. Hippaliosina imperfecta is characterized by having encrusting colonies (Fig. 60), more or less hexagonal zooids, oblong autozooidal orifices, and small down-curved and elongate avicularia (frequently paired) placed laterally to the orifice (Fig. 61) (Winston et al. 2014). Hippaliosina imperfecta is the only species of the genus recorded from Brazil and is also considered endemic to the area (Winston et al. 2014). Other species of Hippaliosina were already documented in association with organisms such as other bryozoans, molluscs and algae (Osburn 1952; Shier 1961; Hayward 1974; Winston 1982b, 1986). This is the first record, however, of a Hippaliosina species associated with the smooth-textured sponges Myrmekioderma sp. and Desmapsamma anchorata .

Distribution. Atlantic: endemic to Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro) (Winston et al. 2014).