Diversity and Systematics of <i>Schizomavella</i> Species (Bryozoa: Bitectiporidae) from the Bathyal NE Atlantic

<div><p>Eight NE Atlantic and Mediterranean species, which were originally assigned to the genus <i>Schizoporella</i> (Family Schizoporellidae) when introduced, are redescribed and stabilized by typification. Seven of these species are transferred to the bitectiporid genus <i>Schizomavella</i>: <i>S</i>. <i>fischeri</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>glebula</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>neptuni</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>obsoleta</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>richardi</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>triaviculata</i>, and <i>S</i>. <i>triaviculata</i> var. <i>paucimandibulata</i>, which is here raised to species rank. The eighth species, <i>Schizoporella fayalensis</i>, is transferred to the lanceoporid genus <i>Stephanotheca</i>. <i>Schizomavella obsoleta</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>glebula</i> are considered junior subjective synonyms of <i>S</i>. <i>fischeri</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>richardi</i>, respectively. Two new species are described: <i>Schizomavella rectangularis</i> n. sp. from the Strait of Gibraltar, and <i>Schizomavella phterocopa</i> n. sp. from the Great Meteor Bank. A new subgenus, <i>Calvetomavella</i> n. subgen. is established as a result of a phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters; it includes <i>S</i>. <i>neptuni</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>triaviculata</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>paucimandibulata</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>phterocopa</i> n. sp., together with <i>Schizomavella discoidea</i> and <i>Schizomavella noronhai</i>. The rest of the species remain in the nominotypical subgenus <i>Schizomavella</i>.</p>