BY C. M. MAPLESTONE.
(Plates I. and II.)
[Read 9th March, 1899]
Stenostomaria solida, Waters, sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 1 and la).
Ooecium subglobose, or galeate, with large, subquadrate, depressed, but convex, coarsely granulated area in front, surrounded with a thick, elevated margin (in the upper part double), which at the centre of the top is disconnected, the ends curving slightly upwards; at the lower angles it extends only a short distance over the ooecial opening and curves upwards with thickened, rounded ends. A zooecium above the depressed area with the thyrostome rounded above, contracted by a denticle on each side, with an acute deep sinus in the lower margin, a ridge on each side of the thyrostome extending outwards as a continuation of the margin of the depressed area, bearing a small oval avicularium on the summit. Ooecial aperture wide, arched above. Dorsal surface very convex, with a ridge around the margin and a central vertical one running over an oval enlargement in the centre.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall). A single specimen which, unfortunately, is imperfect, in that it has not the usual proximal zooecium, so that the shape of the ooecial aperture is not defined. The thyrostome of the upper zooecium is not quite perfect, but is sufficiently so to show that its shape is the same as that of the ordinary zooecia of S. solida; and on the dorsal surface is a globose elevation under a median ridge similar to that which exists in some specimens of this species.
As S. solida is the only species of the genus known, and it is very plentiful in the deposit in which this was found, I think it is quite certain this ooecium belongs to that species.
Catenicella nutans, n. sp. (Pl. I., Fig. 2).
Ooecium oval, with broad base, round in section. Two large falcate or crescentic, deeply depressed areas (irregularly and coarsely granulated), and a small, crescentic, slightly depressed area on each side below them in front; also a semi-elliptical one on the summit. Ooecial aperture very wide; upper margin arcuate, lower curved but partially hidden by the front surface of the zooecium which is bent over at about a right angle to the axial line of the ooecium. The zooecium has three pyriform fenestrae, with elevated edges; the orifice of the connecting tube is exposed to view.
Locality. - Mornington. (Rev. A. W. Cresswell). A single specimen, very perfectly preserved.
Catenicella conica, n. sp. (Pl. I., Fig. 3).
Ooecium, semi-oval or conical, very rugose, with a short tube at the summit (probably avicularian); ooecial aperture wide, arched above, sinuous below; an elongated, curved umbo on each side of it; the surface of the upper portion is very uneven, rugose, with several small depressed areas of irregular shape. The proximal zooecium very broad, front indistinct, being turned upwards, but there are traces of 2-3 fenestrae ; the lateral processes are very wide, extending beyond the ooecium, and have two hollows or depressions on each side.
Locality.-Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall).
This, like C. nutans, bends over the proximal zooecium so that the latter shows in perspective, and the whole of the orifice of the connecting tube is exposed to view. It is not very well preserved, but the shape of the ooecium and the very broad proximal zooecium distinguish it from any other species. A single specimen only seen.
Catenicella rotundata, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 4).
Ooecium globose, with a large, very deep crescentic depression, the surface of which is very coarsely granulated on each side, and a depression at the summit. Ooecial aperture very wide, arcuate above, nearly straight below. Proximal zooecium subquadrate, with four fenestrae.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
A single specimen. This like C. nutans and C. conica has the proximal zooecium inclined to the axial line, but not to so great an extent as in those species. The globular shape and the very deep crescentic depressions are characteristic.
Catenicella personata, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 5).
Ooecium irregular in shape, somewhat globose; aperture very wide, oblong, with rounded sides; margin very wide, thick and partially overhanging in front; upper part very rugose, with irregular perforations over the middle portion. Proximal zooecium subtriangular with five fenestrae.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
A single specimen. It is possibly imperfect, but is quite distinct from any other species. It, like the three previously described species, has the ooecium inclined to the zooecium, and the slide had to be tilted to gain a view of the fenestrae.
Among the Catenicellae described and figured by Dr. MacGillivray in his Monograph, are C. circumcincta (Waters), C. expansa (McG.), C. tenuis (McG.), C. mamillata (McG.), and C. pulchella (mihi), which, with four new species described in this paper, form a distinct group characterised by the fenestrae being round or oval, distinctly separated; not pyriform and aggregated as in the other Catenicellae.1 All are found fossil in our Tertiary deposits, the only one which has also been found living is C. pulchella which was described by me in the Journal of the Microscopical Society of Victoria in May, 1880. It was afterwards described by Dr. MacGillivray to this Society in November, 1880, as C. concinna, which he then stated might be my C. pulchella, but that I had described the ornamentation as "round bosses." Afterwards he recognised my species, and Busk in the "Challenger" Reports, describes it on page 13, and figures it (Pl. I., Fig. 4) showing the so-called fenestrae as bosses, as I had described them ; and he says, "at first sight scarcely referable to either the fenestrate or vittate section. But it appears properly to belong to the latter," for which section Dr. MacGillivray instituted the genus Caloporella. I quote this because I think that probably the whole of this group, when living, had bosses, or elevations on the front, and not, as shown in the fossils, perforations only; and also as a warrant for making a new genus to include the species of this group, which is a well-defined one.
1. In speaking of Catenicellae I allude to the genus as defined by Dr. MacGillivray, not the Catenicellae, of Busk.
In this connection I would wish to state that the recent species of Catenicellidae which I, when at Portland, found and examined alive showed that the fenestrae were, in most cases, elevations not depressions or cavities, the ectocyst where covering the fenestrae being distended and raised. I have noted in my diary the following species in which the fenestrae showed as elevations, C. lorica, C. margaritacea, C. alata, C. carinata, C.perforata and C. hastata.
Strongylopora, nov. gen.
Zooecia ovoid, a submarginal row of round or oval pores, segregated, not aggregated.
The following are the species which I assign to this genus: -
Strongylopora pulchella (Map.)
Catenicella pulchella, Map. J.M.S. Vic., May, 1880.
C. concinna, McG. T.R.S.V., Nov., 1880.
C. pulchella, McG. P.Z.V., 1889.
C. pulchella, McG. Monograph p. 11.
C. pulchella, McG. Busk, "Challenger," xxx., p. 13.
Strongylopora circumcincta (Waters, sp).
Cat. circumcincta, Waters. Q.J.G.S., 1883, p. 432.
Cat. circumcincta, McG. Monograph, p. 9.
Strongylopora expansa (McG. sp.)
Cat. expansa, McG. Monograph, p. 10.
Strongylopora mamillata (McG. sp.)
Cat. mamillata, McG. Monograph, p. 10.
Strongylopora tenuis (McG. sp.)
Cat. tenuis, McG. Monograph, p. 10.
Strongylopora complanata, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 6.)
Zooecium broad, ovate, flat, with very wide, smooth, lateral processes, extending upwards as broad, flat, rostra; avicularium on one side large, curved; on the other aborted. Fenestrae 13 round submarginal. Thyrostome arched above; lower lip with a wide sinus, in each angle of which is a small round papilla.
Locality - Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall). A single specimen.
This is allied to S. pulchella, but the lateral processes are much wider than even in recent specimens of that species; the papillae at the angles of the sinus in the lower lip of the thyrostome are peculiar and the whole zooecium is very flat, the only indication of the shape of the zooecial cell being the row of pores.
Strongylopora nitida, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 7).
Zooecium oval, front slightly convex; fourteen oval submarginal fenestrae. Thyrostome arched above, lower lip with a wide, quadrate sinus in the centre, Lateral processes with smooth supra-avicularian processes extending upwards as acute rostra. Avicularia small, on a level with the thyrostome.
Locality - Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall). A single specimen.
This is allied to S. complanata but is distinguished by the convexity of the zooecium, the broad quadrate sinus in the lower lip and the acuminate supra-avicularian processes.
Strongylopora ampullacea, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 8).
Zooecium oval, vasiform dorsally; lateral processes very wide, smooth; a small avicularium at each upper angle; fenestrae fourteen round perforations. Thyrostome suborbicular.
Locality - Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall). A single specimen.
It is allied to S. expansa, S. pulchella, S. complanata, and S. nitida, but it has not the suboral pore of the first-named, nor sinus in the lower lip of the other species.
Strongylopora cuneiformis, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 9).
Zooecia elongated, cuneiform. thyrostome arched above, nearly straight below, with a small denticle on each side, near the lower angles; lateral processes only visible in upper portion, where they are wide, retrocedent, with small avicularia at outer angles and long, pointed rostra directed upwards and somewhat dorsally.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
This is allied to S. tenuis, but the lateral processes are very much more produced upwards into long retrocedent rostra which arise from the dorsal surface of the lateral processes.
The species of the preceding genus are characterised by having segregated, round, fenestrae as distinguished from the aggregated, pyriform fenestrae of Catenicellae. I have found a form, which possesses both kinds, for which it is necessary to establish a new genus, and on examination of my slides of recent polyzoa to compare with the fossils I discovered I have another species which will be described in a separate paper.
Digenopora, n. gen.
Zooecia with two sets of pores or fenestrae, one set submarginal, segregated, oval or round; the other set, on the front of the zooecia below the thyrostome, pyriform.
Digenopora compta, n. sp. (Pl. I, Figs. 10 and 10a).
Characters as for genus. Zooecia ovate and ventricose, 7-9 pyriform fenestrae on the front ; 9-13 oval or round perforations outside the inner group. Large sessile avicularia at upper angles of the Zooecia.
Localities: - Bairnsdale (J. Dennant); Mornington and Muddy Creek (T. S. Hall).
The geminate pair is from the Mitchell River near Bairnsdale, the single zooecium is from Mornington and I have another single zooecium, which, though slightly smaller, I consider belongs to this species, from Muddy Creek, I had at first supposed each of them to be of different species, seeing they came from places so wide apart, but there is not sufficient difference between them to warrant their separation. It will be seen that the zooecia of the geminate pair are not exactly the same as the single zooecium, but there is not more difference than often occurs between geminate and single zooecia of other species.
The specimens of recent Catenicella cribraria in my cabinet show, I think, that that species probably should be relegated to this genus, as the marginal fenestrae are circular and decidedly larger than those on the middle of the zooecia, but the latter are scattered irregularly over the surface, not confined in a scutiform area. Dr. MacGillivray's figure of this species in his Monograph (Pl. I, Fig. 20) shows the inner fenestrae more regularly disposed than they are in the recent species, so much so that I think it very probable it is not C. cribraria, but, a new species of Digenopora very closely allied to D. compta.
Catenicella halli, n. sp. (Pl. I, Figs. 11 and 11a).
Zooecia ovoid. Fenestrae 9-11, pyriform, perforated. Thyrostome arched above, slightly curved below. Lateral processes broad, convex, with infra-avicularian and pedal chambers. Avicularia upon a broad protruding base. Supra-avicularian processes extending upwards into a long, curved, spinous process.
Locality. - Moorabool. (T. S. Hall).
Allied to C. cincta but is very much larger and has peculiar protruding bases for the avicularia. In the geminate pair the pedal chamber on one side is broken away and in the upper part the lateral processes are wider and more protruding than in the single zooecia.
Catenicella acuminata, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 12).
Zooecia ovate. Fenestrae 11, pyriform, perforated. Thyrostome arched above, nearly straight below. Lateral processes wide, with large infra-avicularian and pedal chambers, the surfaces of which on one side are convex; avicularia small, on a level with the thyrostome; super-avicularian processes with hollow chambers, or perforations above the thyrostome; outer angle continued upwards into a very long spine.
Locality. - Bairnsdale. (J. Dennant). A single specimen, allied to C. halli but much larger, the superstructure above the thyrostome is different and it wants the protruding base to the avicularia.
Catenicella papillata, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 14, 14a, 14b).
Zooecia elongate, front surface smooth. Fenestrae 7. Lateral processes broad, smooth, with very slightly depressed infraavicularian areas. Geminate zooecia with 9-11 fenestrae. Thyrostome arched above, hollow below. Dorsal surface covered with small, round, papillae.
Locality: - Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall).
The characteristics of this species are the very smooth front and papillose dorsal surfaces. The geminate pair is on the front view somewhat different from the single zooecia, notably in having a greater number of fenestrae (an unusual occurrence) but the dorsal surface showed that it belonged to the same species. I would wish to note that the dorsal surface figured is that of the single zooecium (Fig. 14a) which was drawn before it was mounted. I afterwards found another and mounted it on the same slide to show the dorsal surface, but it is imperfect, so I have reproduced the drawing of the perfect one.
Catenicella baccata, n. sp. (Pl. II, Figs. 15 and 15a).
Zooecia elongate. Lateral processes with depressed pedal and infra-avicularian areas. Fenestrae 15-17, oval, depressed; not perforated. Thyrostome arched above, slightly hollow below; peristome raised, produced upwards as a ridge, and laterally as thickened ridges, at the extremities of which are small avicularia. Dorsal surface coarsely papillose with a small sulcate area.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall). A single geminate pair.
This is allied to C. papillata, but is distinguished by being much larger, more elongate, the papillae on the dorsal surface are larger and oval, the front surface is not so smooth and it has lateral ridges with avicularia at the outer ends. The fenestrae are also peculiar, being oval depressions not perforations.
Catenicella ampliata, n. sp. (Pl. II, Figs. 16 and 16a).
Zooecia broadly ovate, rather flat in front. Fenestrae 11, elongated, pyriform, convex and perforated. Thyrostome lofty, arched above; sinuous below. Lateral processes very wide and flat, with a very narrow pedal depression. Avicularia at upper angles with large conical flat rostra above. Dorsal surface very much raised longitudinally so that a transverse section of zooecium proper is triangular with rounded corners.
Locality. -Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
The specimen drawn has the conical rostra perfect, but as the thyrostome is imperfect I have drawn one (Fig. 16a) with the fenestrae from another specimen on the same slide.
Catenicella dennanti, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 17).
Zooecia quadrate, ventricose. Fenestrae 9-11, large, pyriform, with raised margins. Thyrostome lofty, arched above, nearly straight below. Lateral processes small. Large prominent, auricular, avicularia at upper angles.
Locality.-Bairnsdale. (J. Dennant). A single geminate pair.
Catenicella hiulca, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 18).
Zooecium ovoid, flat in front. Fenestrae indistinct, probably 7. Thyrostome arched above, sinuous below, prominent. Lateral processes very wide, projecting forwards with a very large imperfectly developed avicularium. on each side.
Locality. - Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall),
The large imperfect avicularia and the lateral processes projecting forward are distinctive. In the figure the right hand lateral process is seen edgeways.
Catenicella acutirostris, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 19).
Zooecia ovate. Fenestrae 7. Lateral processes with deeply depressed infra-avicularian and pedal chambers. Thyrostome lofty, arched above, incurved below. Avicularia at upper angles, with very long mandibles and a semi-circular cavity at the lower part, separated from the mandibular cell by a bar.
Locality. - Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall).
This is a solitary specimen and though imperfect it is evidently quite distinct from any described species as the avicularia are peculiar in having a long, almost acicular mandible and a semi-circular cavity, with a perforation at the bottom, separated from the mandibular cell by a bar, or plate ; the avicularium on the right hand side (in the figure) is broken away but a portion of the bar, or plate, is preserved.
Costaticella, nov. gen.
Zooecia ovoid, rather flat. Front surface with very numerous narrow, elongated ribs diverging from a median line.
This genus I institute to include the new species described below and Catenicella lineata, of which Dr. MacGillivray remarks that it is "a very peculiar species, totally unlike any other."
Costaticella lineata, McG.
Catenicella lineata, McG. Monograph, p. 14, pl. i., fig. 30.
Costaticella escharoides, n. sp. (Pl. I, Fig. 13).
Zooecia elongated, oval, flat; lateral processes wide, with supra- and infra- avicularian and pedal chambers. The central area is flat and composed of many (22 or more) narrow, convex ribs, imperforate, but small fissures are present which may be the result of attrition; the median line, on which the ribs abut, is zigzag.
Locality. - Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
This is allied to C. lineata but the fenestral ribs are not perforated at the ends as in that species, and the lateral processes are very wide; unfortunately they are imperfect, the outer portions being broken.
Strophipora excavata, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 20 and 20a).
Zooecia small, somewhat quadrate. Thyrostome suborbicular; a raised band extending from the base of the zooecium to the thyrostome, with a median oval depression in the upper part; depressed areas on each side with 2-3 pores. Avicularia at upper angles. Dorsal surface with much depressed areas on each side of the zooecia.
Locality. - Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall).
This differs from S. harveyi in its smaller size and the deep wide depression on the dorsal surface leaving a broad raised median portion at the rear of each zooecium and not a narrow linear ridge.
Strophipora sulcata, n. sp. (Pl. II, Figs. 21 and 21a).
Zooecia ovoid, front with a raised broad band in the centre, with a depressed area on each side in which are 2-3 perforations. Thyrostome arched above, imperfect below, wide lateral processes above the thyrostome with avicularia at outer angles. Dorsal surface smooth, with a narrow, deep furrow on each side.
Locality. - Clifton Bank, Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall). A single. specimen.
The thyrostome is imperfect but the deep narrow furrows on the dorsal surface are very distinctive and separate it from the last described species.
Catenaria tenuis, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 22).
Zooecium tubular below, ventricose and ovate above. Thyrostome suborbicular. Front of zooecium oval, raised; upper part divided radially into four triangular areas ; two lateral and two distal - the lower part with a narrow, irregularly curved, raised hand or fillet. An avicularium on a broad, blunt, retrocedent rostrum at each upper angle. Socket for connecting tube, or base, of distal zooecium on the side.
Locality. - Muddy Creek. (T. S. Hall). A single specimen.
It is much smaller but is very similar in form to C. bicornis, Busk (Challenger Polyzoa, p. 14, pl. iii., fig. 2). The ornamentation of the surface of the raised oval area is not very well preserved and rather difficult to make out, but it is quite different from that of C. bicornis. The genus has not been hitherto recorded as fossil.
Catenariopsis, nov. gen.
Zooecia pyriform, ventricose. Thyrostome suborbicular; below which is a semi-circular opening at the upper part of which is a flat descending plate, with a curved slender process at each end, pointing downwards into the cavity of the zooecia and towards the sides; below this is a crescentic area, finely punctate. A perforation (avicularian ?) on each side above the thyrostome. Zooecia tapering downwards into a peduncle.
Catenariopsis morningtoniensis, n. sp. (Pl. II, Fig. 23).
Characters as for genus.
Locality.-Mornington. (T. S. Hall).
This a most puzzling specimen. It is very like a Catenaria in form (hence the name) but the two openings are very peculiar. I have described the upper one as the thyrostome as the, lower one may be the analogue of the structure of that part of the zooecia immediately below the thyrostome in Steganoporella and Thalamoporella, as the spinous process, on one side, seems to show that they are the folds of a dividing structure seen edgeways. On the other hand this may be the true thyrostome and the upper opening an ooecium with the front broken away, but the appearance hardly seems to warrant this. I have seen only the specimen figured, it is a very strange form. I cannot refer it to any known genus, and there is nothing to show the character of the zoarial growth, though it seems probable it way originate from a creeping stolon like Aetea or Liriozoa. It is undoubtedly a polyzoon.
For the information of those who may at any time examine the slides of new species of Catenicellidae described in these papers (all of which will be deposited in the National Museum) I would wish to point out that a few of the first slides I mounted were what I may term "omnibus" slides, ie., they contained specimens of several species, and as the Catenicellidae are so minute and so fragile (I have found several have developed cracks since they were mounted) that I could not attempt to remount them separately, I have allowed them to remain, but have removed all those which are not new to save observers the trouble of hunting among numerous specimens for the types, except a few to remove which would have endangered them.
EXPLANATION OF PLATES I AND II.
| |
Comments | |
| Fig. 1. Stenostomaria solida (ooecium). | Stenostomaria solida | |
| 2. Catenicella nutans. | Isolated fertile catenicellid zooid - genus cannot be identified. | |
| 3. C. conica. | Isolated fertile catenicellid zooid - genus cannot be identified. | |
| 4. C. rotundata. | "C." nutans; isolated fertile catenicellid zooid - genus cannot be identified. | |
| 5. C. personata, | Isolated fertile catenicellid zooid - genus cannot be identified. | |
| 6. Strongylopora complanata. | Strongylopora pulchella. | |
| 7. S. nitida. | Strongylopora pulchella. | |
| 8. S. ampullacea. | Strongylopora pulchella. | |
| 9. S. cuneiformis. | Strongylopora tenuis. | |
| 10. Digenopora compta. | Digenopora retroversa. | |
| 10a. " " (single zooecium). | ||
| 11. Catenicella halli. | Pterocella halli. | |
| 11a. " " (geminate pair). |
 |
Comments | |
| Fig. 12. C. acuminata. | Pterocella halli. | |
| 13. Costaticella escharoides. | Costaticella lineata. | |
| 14. Catenicella papillata. | Orthoscuticella papillata. | |
| 14a. " " (single zooecium). | ||
| 14b. " " (dorsal surface). | ||
| 15. C. baccata | Orthoscuticella auriculata. | |
| 15a. " " (dorsal surface). | ||
| 16. C. ampliata. | Orthoscuticella urnula. | |
| 16a. " " (Thyrostome and fenestrae). | ||
| 17. C. dennanti. | Orthoscuticella ampla. | |
| 18. C. hiulca. | Orthoscuticella hiulca. | |
| 19. C. acutirostris. | Orthoscuticella urnula. | |
| 20. Strophipora excavata. | Strophipora excavata. | |
| 20a. " " (dorsal surface). | ||
| 21. S. sulcata. | Strophipora excavata. | |
| 21a. " " (dorsal surface). | ||
| 22. Catenaria tenuis. | Petalostegus tenuis | |
| 23. Catenariopsis morningtoniensis. | Catenariopsis morningtoniensis |
