Vasopora, Grischenko & Gordon & Melnik, 2021

Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P. & Melnik, Viacheslav P., 2021, Vasopora ceramica n. gen., n. sp. - a new abyssal cyclostome bryozoan from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean, Zootaxa 5047 (4), pp. 444-452 : 446

Vasopora n. gen.

Type species. Vasopora ceramica n. sp.

Etymology. Latin vas, vase, alluding to the vasiform colony form, plus - pora, a common bryozoan suffix. Gender feminine.

Diagnosis. Colony erect, pedunculate, miniature, with flaring, convex capitulum on thin and tall column, with sharp structural boundary between column and capitulum. Autozooidal peristomes short, radiating in one irregular whorl. Capitulum surface mostly comprising openings of kenozooid-like alveoli, conferring a reticulate appearance. Gonozooid unidirectional in capitulum center, sac-like, convex, covered by reticular meshwork of small alveoli. Ooeciostome negligible, ooeciopore transversely subcircular, on slope of gonozooid, facing outwards laterally. Entire capitulum surface minutely densely granular to subspinulate. Skeletal microstructure comprising irregularly imbricated crystallites. Vasiform column smooth, exterior-walled, lacking pseudopores, with even upper margin (outer rim). Surface microstructure comprising planar-spherulitic strips and fans of closely appressed acicular crystallites parallel to wall surface. Ancestrula erect, with peristome arising from entire roof of protoecial dome. First daughter zooid also buds from protoecium.