4.17
Species of the Genus Parasmittina OSBURN
(Bryozoa, Ascophora) from Indian Waters
N.R.MENON
Bryozoans of Indian waters have been dealt with in part by investigators on the basis
of expedition collections. However, until recently there has been no comprehensive
attempt to work out taxonomical and ecological aspects in detail. During investigations
on the systematics and ecology of bryozoans of Indian waters, MENON (1967) collected
101 species of bryozoans from the west and east coasts of India. MENON and NAIR (1967)
listed 70 species of bryozoans hitherto unknown from Indian seas.
The present note records 9 species belonging to the genus Parasmittina OSBURN,
1952, listed for the first time from Indian waters.
The detailed descriptions with figures, remarks and discussion of the species dealt
with in this paper, has been published elsewhere (MENON, 1972).
1. Parasmittina signata (WATERS), 1899
Usually found on gastropod shells and stones, this species enjoys a very wide distribution in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
2. Parasmittina elongata (OKADA and MAWATARI), 1936
Found growing as an encrustation on Triphyllozoon tubulatum. The material at
hand shows structural differences from the figures and descriptions furnished by OKADA
and MAWATARI. Rather discontinuously distributed, this species has since its recovery
from Japanese waters been found only in the Bay of Bengal.
3. Parasmittina parsevalii (AuoolN), 1826
This species was found encrusting a concrete slab dredged from a depth of 18 m off
Cochin. The material from Indian waters shows some difference in avicular characteristics.
This species is abundant in the Indo-Australian archipelago.
4. Parasmittina aviculata (MAWATARI), 1952
Usually found encrusting calcareous polychaete tubes and gastropod shells. The
present material was dredged from 58 m off Ponnani, SW coast of India. This species
shows a close resemblance to P. protecta. Apart from the type locality, this species has
been recorded only from the Arabian Sea.
5. Parasmittina egyptiaca (WATERS), 1909
Found growing on gastropod shells at 50 m depth off Quilon, SW coast of India.
Enjoys wide distribution.
Species of the Genus Parasmittina OSBURN
(Bryozoa, Ascophora) from Indian Waters
N.R.MENON
Bryozoans of Indian waters have been dealt with in part by investigators on the basis
of expedition collections. However, until recently there has been no comprehensive
attempt to work out taxonomical and ecological aspects in detail. During investigations
on the systematics and ecology of bryozoans of Indian waters, MENON (1967) collected
101 species of bryozoans from the west and east coasts of India. MENON and NAIR (1967)
listed 70 species of bryozoans hitherto unknown from Indian seas.
The present note records 9 species belonging to the genus Parasmittina OSBURN,
1952, listed for the first time from Indian waters.
The detailed descriptions with figures, remarks and discussion of the species dealt
with in this paper, has been published elsewhere (MENON, 1972).
1. Parasmittina signata (WATERS), 1899
Usually found on gastropod shells and stones, this species enjoys a very wide distribution in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
2. Parasmittina elongata (OKADA and MAWATARI), 1936
Found growing as an encrustation on Triphyllozoon tubulatum. The material at
hand shows structural differences from the figures and descriptions furnished by OKADA
and MAWATARI. Rather discontinuously distributed, this species has since its recovery
from Japanese waters been found only in the Bay of Bengal.
3. Parasmittina parsevalii (AuoolN), 1826
This species was found encrusting a concrete slab dredged from a depth of 18 m off
Cochin. The material from Indian waters shows some difference in avicular characteristics.
This species is abundant in the Indo-Australian archipelago.
4. Parasmittina aviculata (MAWATARI), 1952
Usually found encrusting calcareous polychaete tubes and gastropod shells. The
present material was dredged from 58 m off Ponnani, SW coast of India. This species
shows a close resemblance to P. protecta. Apart from the type locality, this species has
been recorded only from the Arabian Sea.
5. Parasmittina egyptiaca (WATERS), 1909
Found growing on gastropod shells at 50 m depth off Quilon, SW coast of India.
Enjoys wide distribution.