Lenticellaria and Hillerella, new kraussinoid genera (Kraussinoidea, Brachiopoda) from Indo-Pacific and Red Sea waters: evolution in the subfamily Megerliinae

Abstract

Two new kraussinid brachiopod genera, namely Lenticellaria gen. nov. and Hillerella gen. nov. are described from Pacific waters in the sub-equatorial zone in the Indonesian Archipelago, from Indian Ocean waters in Madagascar and from Red Sea waters in Egypt (Gulf of Aqaba) and Sudan. This fills the equatorial gap in the distribution of the superfamily Kraussinoidea, known from higher latitudes in both hemispheres. The micromorphic new material described is an excellent example of homeomorphy in brachiopods. It also provides new information on the distribution of the genus Megerlia sensu stricto and illustrates subtle variations in the evolutionary process of the reduced brachidium in Kraussinoidea.

Recent thecideide brachiopods from a submarine cave in the Department of Mayotte (France), northern Mozambique Channel

“…However, each new expedition in all seas of the world discovers new species obtained mainly by trawling or dredging methods. Scuba-diving also provides a lot of new species of brachiopods when cryptic environments, such as submarine caves, are prospected (Logan & Zibrowius 1994;Simon & Willems 1999;Simon et al 2018b) and also shipwrecks (Simon 2010;Simon & Hoffmann 2013;Simon et al 2016). Shipwrecks are, moreover, large enclosed spaces where small specimens of brachiopods can accumulate without significant alterations.…”