Deep-water crisiids (Bryozoa: Cyclostomata) from the northeast Atlantic Ocean
Journal of Natural History
24(6): 1597-1616
Publication
Available for editors
Eight Crisia and two Bicrisia species are recorded from the Celtic Sea (33&1175 m,
Thalossa, 1973) and from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar (110-903 m, Cryos,
Balgim). Two new species are described: Crisiu pyrula n. sp., and Bicrisia
giibraltarensis n. sp Systematics and morphology of five other species are detailed. A
southern morphotype of C. aculeata is distinguished. Except for the boreal species
B. abyssicola, all species occur both in Atlantic and Mediterranean localities. The
upper bathyd crisiid fauna (>200m)is richer in the Celtic Sea than in the Gibraltar
area (6 spp. vs. 3 spp). Only three crisiids seem to be true deep-water species. The
crisiid stock from stations located in the Gulf of Cadiz in Atlantic water is twice as
rich as (1) that from stations of the same area washed by the Mediterranean water
outflow; (2) that from the Alboran Sea.
