Sertularellidae Maronna, Miranda, Peña Cantero, Barbeitos and Marques, 2016

Cantero, Álvaro Luis Peña, 2024, Fig. 4 in Positive association between PTN polymorphisms and schizophrenia in Northeast Chinese Han population., Zoological Studies 63 (17), pp. 141-149 : 15-17

Family Sertularellidae Maronna, Miranda, Peña Cantero, Barbeitos and Marques, 2016 Calamphora quadrispinosa Watson, 2003 ( Fig. 9 D−F)

Calamphora quadrispinosa Watson, 2003: 168 , fig. 18.

Sertularella quadrispinosa – Galea et al. 2017: 297, fig. 15H.

Material examined: Stn 98, several hydrothecae and three gonothecae, growing on Eudendrium sp. ( NIWA 144256).

Description: Stolonal colony with several hydrothecae and three gonothecae. Hydrothecae erect, entirely free, resting on pedicels originating from stolons. Hydrotheca tubular, sometimes slightly asymmetrical, and markedly separated from pedicel by a diaphragm. Diameter markedly increasing from diaphragm to basal third, then smoothly decreasing toward aperture, distinctly increasing again at distal end. Some hydrothecae with three to four little marked undulations. Rim of hydrothecal aperture with four little-developed cusps separated by shallow embayments.

Gonothecae on short pedicels arising directly from stolon. Gonotheca ovoid, with seven to eight marked rings and with a distal crown of four or five spines slightly curved inwards at their distal end.

Measurements (in µm): Hydrotheca: height 1230−1260, maximum diameter 600−680, diameter at aperture 500−520, diameter at diaphragm 240−260. Pedicel: length 200−400. Gonotheca : height 950−1000, maximum diameter 550−640.

Remarks: This study represents the second record of the species. The material examined is scarce and there was little to add to the original description ( Watson 2003).

Galea et al. (2017: 297), based on Watson’s (2003) description, considered this species to belong to Sertularella Gray “because its colonies, besides the commonest stolonal hydrothecae, comprise short, unbranched or sparingly-branched, erect stems,” which is reasonable taking into account that Watson (2003) wrote “stolons … becoming free at intervals as monosiphonic stems, sometimes sparingly branched.” However, Watson (2003) clearly stated that this species has stolonal colonies. I believe that the species has stolonal colonies and that the “monosiphonic stems” mentioned by Watson are simply detached stolons. Watson (2003: 169), discussing on the genera she considered, indicated that as her “material is stolonal, Thyroscyphus was rejected.” It is therefore clear that she did not consider those free stolons as true stems. In addition, Watson (2003) herself rejected Sertularella because her material had no clear abcauline diverticulum. As a result, I am retaining the species in Calamphora , pending molecular studies to establish its precise taxonomic position.

Ecology and distribution: Calamphora quadrispinosa had been found at depths from 453 to 1422 m ( Watson 2003); present material between 676 and 750 m. Gonothecae are known in January ( Watson 2003) and April (present material).

The species has been reported from north and south of Macquarie Island ( Watson 2003); present material was collected from Seamount 9 Hjort, south of Macquarie Island.

Figures

Fig. 9. Tulpa tulipifera (Allman, 1888): A, hydrotheca and pedicel; B, distal part of hydrotheca showing aperture; C, incomplete gonotheca. Calamphora quadrispinosa Watson, 2003: D, hydrotheca; E, distal part of hydrotheca showing aperture; F, gonotheca. Sertularella sp.: G, stem; H−I, stem fragments showing hydrothecae and origin of branch; J, fragment of stem showing longitudinal striation. Scale bars: A, G = 3 mm; B−F, H−I = 200 μm; J = 100 μm.