Living and fossil algae and fungi, formerly known as structural parts of marine bryozoans

Abstract

Some bryozoans (Ectoprocta) appear to be infested· by symbiotic to parasitic algae and fungi. Filamentous Red alga boring into the recent Heteropora pelliculata has been apparently previously considered as "denticles" and "prolongations" (in cyclostome Entalophora proboscidea: Canu & Bassler, 1920, after Pergens) It is described as Conchocelis phase of porphyradrewae. sp. nov. (of Bangiales). Rare blue-green colored fungus infests zooecia in the recent Heteropora neozelanica. and is described as Monoblepharis (?) thalassinosus sp. nov. A more abundant fungus in this same bryozoan is described as Heterosporimyces spinosa. gen. et sp. nov., and still another, rare fungus in it. is tentatively classified as Ordovicimyces recensis, sp. nov. The genus Ordovicimyces is introduced for the transitional algo-fungus O. gallowayi, gen. et sp. nov., abundant in the ordovician trepostomatous bryozoan NiCholsonella corNula. In this same bryozoan occurs also a rare Blue-Green colonial alga named Prochamaesiphon cumingsi, gen. et sp. nov. A fairly abundant fungus propythium carbonarium, gen.et sp. nov. occurs in the upper carboniferous bryozoan "Batostomella" polyspinosa , where also occurs rare Prochamaesiphon geitleri , gen. et sp. nov.,and Prochamaesiphon geitleri, gen. et sp. nov.and Prochmamaesiphon (?) sp.