Maria Aleksandra Bitner1. 1. Institute of Paleobiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Twarda 51/55, PL-00-818 Warszawa, Poland.
Abstract
Twenty species belonging to 16 genera, i.e. Neoancistrocrania, Novocrania, Basiliola, Basiliolella, Ebiscothyris, Stenosarina, Kanakythyris, Xenobrochus, Terebratulina, Eucalathis, Fallax, Frenulina, Septicollarina, Campages, Annuloplatidia, and Thecidellina have been identified in the material collected during the Terrasses and Exbodi cruises in the New Caledonian region, SW Pacific. The species Basiliolella grayi (Woodward, 1855) and Fallax neocaledonensis Laurin, 1997 are the most common in the studied collection, while Eucalathis murrayi (Davidson, 1878) is reported for the first time from the New Caledonian region.
Twenty species belonging to 16 genera, i.e. Neoancistrocrania, Novocrania, Basiliola, Basiliolella, Ebiscothyris, Stenosarina, Kanakythyris, Xenobrochus, Terebratulina, Eucalathis, Fallax, Frenulina, Septicollarina, Campages, Annuloplatidia, and Thecidellina have been identified in the material collected during the Terrasses and Exbodi cruises in the New Caledonian region, SW Pacific. The species Basiliolella grayi (Woodward, 1855) and Fallax neocaledonensis Laurin, 1997 are the most common in the studied collection, while Eucalathis murrayi (Davidson, 1878) is reported for the first time from the New Caledonian region.
Entities:
Keywords:
Brachiopoda; New Caledonia; South-West Pacific; biodiversity
The New Caledonia Exclusive Economic Zone, comprising the area from Vanuatu to Chesterfield Islands, is one of the most intensively investigated regions in the Indo-West Pacific Province; more than 40 oceanographic expeditions have been organized by French institutions within the programme Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos (formerly PageBreakMusorstom; see also Bouchet et al. 2008). Brachiopods collected in this region have been described in many publications (e.g. d’Hondt 1987; Laurin 1992, 1997; Bitner 2007a, 2009, 2010, 2011; Bitner et al. 2008; Bitner and Cohen 2015).This paper deals with brachiopods collected during two cruises, Terrasses and Exbodi, organized by the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris and by the Institut de la Recherche pour le Développement, Nouméa, New Caledonia on R.V. “Alis” (Fig. 1). The cruise Terrasses (http://expeditions.mnhn.fr/campaign/terrasses) was carried out from 15 to 31 October 2008, south of New Caledonia, whereas the cruise Exbodi (http://expeditions.mnhn.fr/campaign/exbodi) to the Loyalty Ridge, east of New Caledonia was carried out from 2 to 28 September 2011. Samples were collected using a Warén dredge (DW) or a trawl (CP, CC). The brachiopods were found in 46 of 99 PageBreakTerrasses stations, and in 56 of 161 Exbodi stations. See the Appendix for details of the stations and species distributions. The collections are stored in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris under catalogue numbers IB-2013-171 to IB-2013-271, IB-2013-516 to IB-2013-552, and IB-2013-585 to IB-2013-616.
The brachiopod fauna recognized in the Terrasses and Exbodi cruises consists of 20 species belonging to 16 genera in 11 families (, , , , , , , , , , ), four orders (, , , ), and two subphyla (, ).
Family Menke, 1828
Fig. 2A–B
Figure 2.
A–B
Laurin, 1992, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–600), SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3925, 388 m C–D
(Gould, 1862), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–542), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3900, 366–357 m E–F
(Woodward, 1855), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–188), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3062, 300–320 m G–H
(Dall, 1895), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–215), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3083, 470–570 m.
This species, represented only by young individuals, was found only in two Exbodi stations at depths of 388–520 m. differs from other craniids by its massive ventral valve and internally by two erect divergent processes on the dorsal valve (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009). Originally described from the Norfolk Ridge (Laurin 1992), it seems to be restricted to the Western Pacific (Cohen et al. 2014).A–B
Laurin, 1992, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–600), SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3925, 388 m C–D
(Gould, 1862), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–542), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3900, 366–357 m E–F
(Woodward, 1855), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–188), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3062, 300–320 m G–H
(Dall, 1895), dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–215), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3083, 470–570 m.The second craniid brachiopod is very rare and too poorly preserved to permit identification to species level. It was found in two stations (600–802 m). Morpho-species identification of is uncertain and previous specimens from the region of New Caledonia have been described as Lee & Brunton, 1986 (see Bitner 2010). In the opinion of Robinson and Lee (2011) this is a synonym of (Adams, 1863).
Family Cooper, 1959
Fig. 2G–HThis is one of three rhynchonellide species recognized in the studied material. is relatively common, found in 10 samples, with a depth range of 400–990 m PageBreakand was already reported from the New Caledonian region (Laurin 1997; Zezina 2005; Bitner 2009). It also occurs in the Hawaii and Fiji regions (Dall 1895; Bitner 2006b, 2008).Fig. 2C–DThis species, already noted from New Caledonia (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009), is rare, being found in 5 stations. Its depth range in the studied area is 300–510 m. Originally described from off Japan (Hatai 1940), also occurs in the Fiji region (Bitner 2008).Fig. 2E–FThis is one of the most common species (nearly 500 specimens). It was found in 13 Terrasses stations and 12 Exbodi stations (see Appendix), with a depth range of PageBreak150–584 m. is restricted to the SW Pacific (Laurin 1997; Logan 2007; Bitner 2009).
Family Gray, 1840
Fig. 3E–J
Figure 3.
A–B
(Cooper, 1973), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–236), and enlargement of the posterior part to show details of the beak, SEM, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3109, 150–180 m C–D
(Cooper, 1973), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–602), and enlargement of the umbonal part to show details of the beak, SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3925, 388 m E–J
Bitner & Cohen, 2015, cruise Exbodi, E–G dorsal and anterior views of complete specimens (IB-2013–262), stn CP 3844, 815–970 m H–I interior and tilted (I) views of dorsal valve (IB-2013–262), SEM, stn CP 3844 J interior of dorsal valve (IB-2013–254), SEM, stn CP 3791, 750–863 m K–L
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–227), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3102, 410–430 m M–N
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–231), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3107, 380–440 m O–P
(Cooper, 1983), dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–175), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3041, 800–840 m.
This species, recently described from the Coral Sea by Bitner and Cohen (2015), is common only in the material collected during the Exbodi cruise. Its depth range is very great, from 70 to 1180 m. Externally, is very similar to (Davidson, 1878), but it differs internally in the character of the loop; in the loop has a narrow, anteriorly convex transverse band (see Cooper 1983; Bitner 2006b, 2008), while in the transverse band is broad and medially folded. Molecular analysis confirms this separation (Bitner and Cohen 2015).A–B
(Cooper, 1973), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–236), and enlargement of the posterior part to show details of the beak, SEM, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3109, 150–180 m C–D
(Cooper, 1973), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–602), and enlargement of the umbonal part to show details of the beak, SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3925, 388 m E–J
Bitner & Cohen, 2015, cruise Exbodi, E–G dorsal and anterior views of complete specimens (IB-2013–262), stn CP 3844, 815–970 m H–I interior and tilted (I) views of dorsal valve (IB-2013–262), SEM, stn CP 3844 J interior of dorsal valve (IB-2013–254), SEM, stn CP 3791, 750–863 m K–L
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–227), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3102, 410–430 m M–N
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–231), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3107, 380–440 m O–P
(Cooper, 1983), dorsal and lateral views of complete specimen (IB-2013–175), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3041, 800–840 m.Fig. 3O–PThis short-looped terebratulide is a relatively common species in the investigated material, being already recorded from New Caledonia (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009). About 50 specimens were found in 17 stations, with a depth range of 340–951 m. was originally described from the south-western Indian Ocean (Cooper 1983).Fig. 3K–LThe second species in the studied material is much rarer, being found in only five samples (386–570 m). is smaller than and characterized by a strongly convex shell. So far known only from the New Caledonia area (Laurin 1997), this species can be considered as endemic to this region.Fig. 3M–NThis species is very characteristic with its thick shell, strongly incurved beak and very small foramen. It is relatively rare, being found in six samples (150–510 m). It is known only from the New Caledonian region (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009) and can be regarded as endemic to this area.
Family Fischer & Oehlert, 1890
Fig. 3A–BA single specimen of this species was found in one Terrasses station at 150–180 m but it was earlier recorded from New Caledonia (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2010). was originally described from South Africa (Cooper 1973).Fig. 3C–DThis second species of is also very rare, found in one Exbodi station at a depth of 388 m. Laurin (1997) already noted this species from New Caledonia. It was originally described from South Africa (Cooper 1973). can be distinguished from by a more convex shell, incurved beak with a partly concealed symphytium, and internally by the presence of a distinct cardinal process (Cooper 1973, 1983; Laurin 1997).
Family Thomson, 1926
Fig. 4D
Figure 4.
A–C
(Davidson, 1878), cruise Exbodi, SEM A–B dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–601), and enlargement (B) of posterior part to show details of the beak, stn DW 3925, 388m C dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–588), stn CP 3911, 680–802 m D
Yabe & Hatai, 1934, dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–214), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3082, 290 m E
(Adams, 1860), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–259), cruise Exbodi, stn CP 3834, 27–258 m F–G
(Gmelin, 1791) F interior of dorsal valve (IB-2013–525), SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn 3872, 159–756 m G dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–192), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3063, 430–480 m H–I
Bitner, 2009, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3040, 750–780 m (IB-2013–173) H dorsal view of complete specimen I exterior of ventral valve, visible randomly distributed, small pustules J–K
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–210), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3077, 420–540 m.
This is a relatively common species, found in 12 stations (180–790 m). Its presence in the studied area was already noted (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009), and it is common off Japan (Hatai 1940). This wide distribution suggests that a careful molecular analysis of a wide range of Pacific Ocean samples might lead to the recognition of multiple forms that have not been distinguished morphologically (e.g. Lüter and Cohen 2002).A–C
(Davidson, 1878), cruise Exbodi, SEM A–B dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–601), and enlargement (B) of posterior part to show details of the beak, stn DW 3925, 388m C dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–588), stn CP 3911, 680–802 m D
Yabe & Hatai, 1934, dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–214), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3082, 290 m E
(Adams, 1860), dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–259), cruise Exbodi, stn CP 3834, 27–258 m F–G
(Gmelin, 1791) F interior of dorsal valve (IB-2013–525), SEM, cruise Exbodi, stn 3872, 159–756 m G dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–192), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3063, 430–480 m H–I
Bitner, 2009, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3040, 750–780 m (IB-2013–173) H dorsal view of complete specimen I exterior of ventral valve, visible randomly distributed, small pustules J–K
Laurin, 1997, dorsal and anterior views of complete specimen (IB-2013–210), cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3077, 420–540 m.
Family Muir-Wood, 1959
Fig. 4A–CThis species is very rare and was found in only two Exbodi stations (388–802 m). Although known from the nearby New Zealand region (MacFarlan et al. 2009), this is the first report of from the vicinity of New Caledonia. Originally described from off the Kermadec Islands (Davidson 1880) it has a wide distribution in the south-western Pacific (Bitner 2006a) and is known from the western Indian Ocean (Zezina 1987).So far the only representative of the family reported from New Caledonia has been Cooper, 1973 (see Laurin 1997; Bitner 2009, 2010), which is characterized by strong ornamentation of single, coarse ribs, while in ribs are numerous, finer, and bifurcating. DNA sequences of these species have not yet been compared (B.L. Cohen, pers. communication).
Family Dagys, 1972
Fig. 4J–KThis long-looped brachiopod is one of the most common (more than 250 specimens) and was identified in 20 stations (260–840 m). was originally described from New Caledonia by Laurin (1997; see also Bitner 2009) and was also recognized in material from Fiji (Bitner 2006b, 2008).Fig. 4H–IThis rare species was found in one station of each cruise (680–802 m). Originally described from the Norfolk Ridge (Bitner 2009) it was also identified around Fiji and French Polynesia (Bitner 2008, 2014).
Family Hatai, 1938
Fig. 4F–GThis easily recognizable species was found in 20 stations but was abundant only in the Exbodi material where it appears to have a very wide bathymetric range (110 to 1100 m). However this range probably is the result of the wide depth-range of the DW3932 dredge haul (500 to 1100 m), the specimens of this generally shallow-water form probably having been collected only in the shallower water.is one of the most widely distributed species of living brachiopods, known from Japan, Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia and Hawaii (Hatai 1940; Emig 1987; Saito 1996; Laurin 1997; Bitner 2006a, 2006b, 2007a, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014). Recently this species has also been identified in the western Indian Ocean (Bitner and Logan in press).
Family Beecher, 1893
Fig. 4EIn the studied material this species was found in 16 stations in the material of both cruises at depths of 180–790 m. Originally described from off Japan (Hatai 1940), occurs in the Western Pacific (Logan 2007; Bitner 2009, 2010).
Family Thomson, 1927
Fig. 5F–J
Figure 5.
A–E
(Hedley, 1899), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3905, 300 m, (IB-2013–549) A–B dorsal view of complete specimen and enlargement of the posterior part to show flat pseudodeltidium (planodeltidium) C–E inner, posterior (D) and oblique (E) views of dorsal valve to show bridge, median lobe of cardinal process and median septum F–J
Bitner, 2009 F–G dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–616), and enlargement of the umbonal part, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3040, 750–780 m H–I ventral view of complete specimen (IB-2013–592), and enlargement of shell surface to show nodes, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3913, 622 m J dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–590), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3911, 680–802 m K–L
Bitner, 2014, ventral and dorsal views of complete specimen (IB-2013–522), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3862, 400–520 m. All SEM.
This species was originally described from the Norfolk Ridge where it was very common (see Bitner 2009). Here, is rare, found in one Terrasses station and two Exbodi stations (622–802 m). It is characterized by numerous, transversely elongate pustules that cover the ventral valve (Fig. 5H–J). can be treated as endemic to the New Caledonian region as it has not yet been recognized in other areas.A–E
(Hedley, 1899), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3905, 300 m, (IB-2013–549) A–B dorsal view of complete specimen and enlargement of the posterior part to show flat pseudodeltidium (planodeltidium) C–E inner, posterior (D) and oblique (E) views of dorsal valve to show bridge, median lobe of cardinal process and median septum F–J
Bitner, 2009 F–G dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–616), and enlargement of the umbonal part, cruise Terrasses, stn DW 3040, 750–780 m H–I ventral view of complete specimen (IB-2013–592), and enlargement of shell surface to show nodes, cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3913, 622 m J dorsal view of complete specimen (IB-2013–590), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3911, 680–802 m K–L
Bitner, 2014, ventral and dorsal views of complete specimen (IB-2013–522), cruise Exbodi, stn DW 3862, 400–520 m. All SEM.Fig. 5K–LThis species is very rare, found in only one Exbodi station at depths of 400–520 m. It was already reported from New Caledonia by Laurin (1997), but was wrongly assigned by him to (Fischer & Œhlert, 1890) (see discussion in Bitner 2014: 256). It has a very wide distribution, being known from New Zealand, Wallis and Futuna Islands, and French Polynesia (Bitner 2007b, 2008, 2014).
Family Elliott, 1953
Fig. 5A–EThis is the only thecideide brachiopod in the investigated material. This species was found in 10 Exbodi stations with a very wide depth range (159 to 1100 m) but as noted before (see above) this may be an artefact. Already noted from New Caledonian waters (Laurin 1997; Bitner 2007a, 2009, 2010), is widely distributed in the SW Pacifc, from New Zealand to French Polynesia (Lee and Robinson 2003; Bitner 2007b, 2008, 2014; Logan 2007; MacFarlan et al. 2009).
Summary
The brachiopods collected south of New Caledonia during the Terrasses cruise are represented by 15 species belonging to 13 genera. In the material from the Loyalty Ridge collected during the Exbodi cruise 19 species belonging to 16 genera have been identified. Fourteen species, i.e. sp., , , , , , , , , , , PageBreak, and are common to both collections. One species, , found in the Terrasses collection was not recognized in the Exbodi material, whereas , , , , and were found in the Exbodi cruise but not in the Terrasses cruise. was reported for the first time from the New Caledonian region.Most species recognized here have a wide geographical distribution, being known either in the Western Pacific or in the Indo-West Pacific Province. Only four species, , , , and can be treated as endemic to the New Caledonian region.With the new record of from New Caledonia, the total number of species recognized in this region is now 45 (d’Hondt 1987; Laurin 1997; Bitner 2007a, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014; Bitner et al. 2008; Bitner and Cohen 2015), of which 8 are in common with New Zealand (compare Bitner 2010, 2014, and this study). The New Caledonian brachiopod fauna shows the greatest affinity with that from Fiji, sharing 11 of 22 species (Bitner 2006b, 2008).
List of brachiopod-bearing stations and species per station.