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Alyonushka hystricosa

Alyonushka hystricosa

Grischenko, Gordon & Melnik, 2018

GBIF:148403729

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ABOUT

Descriptions(5)

Description. Sole colony erect, pedunculate and subcalyciform, with outwardly flaring capitulum of relatively short autozooidal peristomes (Fig. 24), up to 10 in single irregular whorl. Column narrowest below middle, widening to slightly bulbous base thickened by development of layers of overlapping flattened alveoli / kenozooidlike chambers (Fig. 25 D). Entire external skeletal surface of colony densely covered by minutely branched tiny prickles except for distal half of peristomes. Surface of autozooidal peristomes irregularly granular-tubercular, tubercles tending to be slightly elongated and in partly linear series down sides of peristome (Fig. 25 C). Aperture subcircular to suboval, rim thin, generally facing obliquely outwards. Interior of peristomes smooth or lightly textured, lacking spinulation (Fig. 25 B, C, F). Gonozooid occupying calyx center (Fig. 24 A – C), large, slightly convex, its surface prickled, centrally imperforate, surrounded by irregular alveoli around periphery (Fig. 24 A). Ooeciostome (Figs 24 A – C, 25 A, B, E), very short, subcircular, with thin prickled rim, inner surface with low irregularities (Fig. 25 A). Ooeciopore smaller than autozooidal apertures. Ancestrula and very early colony stages not seen. Measurements (mm). Holotype, ZIRAS 1 / 50711 (Figs 24, 25): Colony height 2.08; capitulum 1.31 × 1.08; base diameter at substratum 0.69; minimum column diameter 0.43; ZL 0.403 – 0.618 (0.513 ± 0.068) (n = 9); PeL 0.213 – 0.303 (0.264 ± 0.026) (n = 9); PeD 0.128 – 0.153 (0.143 ± 0.010) (n = 9); ApL 0.154 – 0.175 (0.165 ± 0.008) (n = 9); ApW 0.106 – 0.128 (0.118 ± 0.007) (n = 9); OpD 0.087 (n = 1).
Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1
Remarks. Alyonushka hystricosa n. sp. is most readily distinguished from the type species and Alyonushka echinata n. sp. (below) by the smooth, non-spinulose inner surface of zooidal peristomes, as well as the surface appearance of the gonozooid.
Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1
Distribution. Recorded from a single station with coordinates 13.09042 ° N, 133.55185 ° W, at 4758 m depth.
Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1
Etymology. Latin, hystricosus, prickly, thorny, alluding to the minutely prickled colony surface.
Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1
Material examined. Holotype: ZIRAS 1 / 50711, colony attached to particle of nodule, YMG R. V. Gelendzhik cruise GLD 4 – 09, Stn 199, 7 January 2011, 13.09042 ° N, 133.55185 ° W, 4758 m. One specimen only.
Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1

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CLASSIFICATION

Taxonomic Classification Tree

AnimaliaBryozoaStenolaemataCyclostomatidaLichenoporidaeAlyonushkaAlyonushka hystricosa

MULTIMEDIA

Media Files(3)

FIGURE 2. Colonies of some cyclostome bryozoans, in vivo, attached to polymetallic nodules. A–E, Pandanipora helix n. gen., n. sp.: A, specimen GLD4–09, Stn 190; B, specimen GLD4–12, Stn 262; C, specimen YMG4–07, Stn 143; D, specimen YMG4–13, Stn 295; E, specimen GLD 4–11, Stn 212. F, Tubuliporina sp. indet., specimen YMG18–01, Stn 7. G, H, Abyssoecia elevata n. gen., n. sp.: G, specimen GLD4–09, Stn 196; H, specimen GLD4–09, Stn 191. I, Discantenna metallica n. sp.: specimen GLD4–11, Stn 224. J, K, Frontohornera frontalis n. gen., n. sp.: J, specimen YMG4–07, Stn 124; K, specimen GLD4–11, Stn 210. L, Alyonushka hystricosa n. gen., n. sp.: specimen GLD4–09, Stn 199. M, Calyssopora volcano n. gen., n. sp.: specimen YMG18–01, Stn 33. N, O, Anyuta anastema n. gen., n. sp.: N, specimen GLD4–09, Stn 180; O, specimen YMG4–06, Stn 71. Scale bars: 1 mm.

Imageimage/png© Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.

FIGURE 24. Alyonushka hystricosa n. gen., n. sp. A, B, holotype, ZIRAS 1/50711, apical and oblique views of capitulum with gonozooid; C, D, same specimen showing entire colony. Arrows indicate the same ooeciostome in each photo. Scale bars: 250 µm.

Imageimage/png© Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.

FIGURE 25. Alyonushka hystricosa n. gen., n. sp. Holotype, ZIRAS 1/50711. A, ooeciostome; B, calyx margin with autozooidal peristomes, ooeciopore near middle right; C, close-up of peristomes and surface sculpture, ooeciopore at lower right; D, colony base; notice minutely prickled surface; E, oblique view of calyx, ooeciostome to right of center; F, symmetrical alveolus opening between a pair of peristomes. Scale bars: 100 µm.

Imageimage/png© Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.Grischenko, Andrei V.;Gordon, Dennis P.;Melnik, Viacheslav P.

IMAGES

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Source Information

Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining

checklist

This dataset contains the digitized treatments in Plazi based on the original journal article Grischenko, Andrei V., Gordon, Dennis P., Melnik, Viacheslav P. (2018): Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Zootaxa 4484 (1): 1-91, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1

Abstract

This work describes Bryozoa of the orders Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata found associated with polymetallic nodules collected by box-coring in the eastern part of the Russian exploration area of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ) under contract to Yuzhmorgeologiya. Scanning electron microscopic study of 358 cyclostome colonies and 14 ctenostome colonies from 4510–5280 m depth has resulted in the recognition of two new species of Ctenostomata, and 14 new species, nine new genera and two new families of Cyclostomata; three additional species of Cyclostomata are left in open nomenclature pending the discovery of missing reproductive characters. The taxonomic novelty is thus notable. One of the new Ctenostomata represents the first living example of the previously monotypic Late Cretaceous genus Pierrella. Twelve of the new cyclostome taxa have well-developed gonozooids, indicating that embryonic cloning (polyembryony) is normal in this deep-sea environment. On the other hand, one indeterminate tubuliporine and two rectangulates have dimorphic peristomes. In the latter two cases, enough mature colonies were found to suggest that this feature is normal, and that the dimorphic zooids are possibly female—in other words, capacious incubation chambers are apparently lacking, and therefore polyembryony would also be lacking or reduced. In one of these species, evidence is presented to suggest that the ancestrular zooid can reproduce precociously. Of the species reported here, only one has previously been found outside the exploration area, highlighting both the limited knowledge we have of bryozoans in the deep Pacific and/or a fauna that is largely endemic to the nodule environment. An additional 31 species of Cheilostomata have also been discovered that will be described in a subsequent publication. Most bryozoans are macrofaunal-sized, so are both inadequately determinable and overlooked in images obtained by remotely operated vehicles; yet, with 50 species, Bryozoa is the most speciose sessile macrofaunal phylum on the nodules. Nodules constitute hard substrata in an area otherwise mostly inhospitable for Bryozoa, hence mining would lead to loss of critical habitat. Further, as suspension-feeders, bryozoans are highly susceptible to smothering by suspended sediment, and non-mined areas closely adjacent to extraction zones would likely also be affected and their associated bryozoan fauna obliterated. More data are required on the distribution of the CCFZ bryozoan species elsewhere in the east Central Pacific to determine if mining would lead to local taxon extirpation or global extinction at both low and high taxonomic levels.

Grischenko A V, Gordon D P, Melnik V P, plazi (2018). Bryozoa (Cyclostomata and Ctenostomata) from polymetallic nodules in the Russian exploration area, Clarion - Clipperton Fracture Zone, eastern Pacific Ocean-taxon novelty and implications of mining. Plazi.org taxonomic treatments database. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4484.1.1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-06-14.

CC0Published 9/25/2018View dataset
GBIF Usage Key
148403729
Dataset Key
74b777c9-eae0-4770-8c86-dcbb10fb06b3
Origin
source
Backbone Key
10249835
Taxon ID
521587E45615552009EEFBBD8FDAF872.taxon
Last Crawled
6/10/2026
Last Interpreted
6/10/2026
View on GBIFSource Reference