| Summary: | Notoplites saojorgensis sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 19A50609-B149-46AC-9A17-237D31A95867 Fig. 1, Table 1 Notoplites marsupiatus (Jullien, 1883) – Calvet 1931: 69. Non Scrupocellaria marsupiata – d’Hondt 1975: 556, figs 14-16 (part or whole). Differential diagnosis There are only two other NE Atlantic Notoplites species that have a marginally fimbriated scutum covering the entire opesia: N. clausus (Busk, 1884) and N. marsupiatus (Jullien, 1883). N. saojorgensis sp. nov. differs from these in generally lacking distal orificial spines, in having wider zooecia and larger scuta, and in having ooecia with a triangular proximomedian fenestra. Moreover, in comparison with N . marsupiatus , zooids in the new species are much larger, the ooecia are distinctly shorter, and the orifice is wider than long. Additional differences to N. clausus are that the internodes are more robust, that the lateral avicularium is clearly visible in frontal view, and that there are more and longer fissures between marginal branches in the scutum. Etymology The species is named after its type location, São Jorge Island (Azores archipelago). Type Material Holotype MNHN 4163, a large free colony, Princess Alice Stn 1349, 1250 m, 19 Aug. 1902, 38°35’30’’ N – 28°05’45’’ W (Azores, off south-central São Jorge Island), on sandy mud of volcanic origin. Paratypes Same locality information as holotype: MOM 42 0877, numerous detached internodes; MOM 42 1213, several internodes embedded in Canada balsam on a glass slide. Description Colony erect, jointed, dichotomously branching, forming a delicate tuft of up to 6.5 cm in height, attached by numerous rhizoids that form a supporting stalk; zoarium porcelain white in dried state (Fig. 1 A-C). Branches formed by two series of alternating autozooids, mostly with 4-9 autozooids between bifurcations, zooids opening on one side only (Fig. 1D). Branching points composed of a single proximomedian zooid and two distolateral ones, with the nodes developing immediately distal to the latter zooids by ...
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