Oswaldella stepanjantsae Pena Cantero, Svoboda & Vervoort 1997

Oswaldella stepanjantsae Peña Cantero, Svoboda & Vervoort, 1997

(Fig. 19 B)

Oswaldella stepanjantsae —Peña Cantero & Vervoort 2004: 847–850, fig. 15; González Molinero & Peña Cantero, 2015: 419–422, 438, figs 13, 16M, 18E, 20D (synonymy); Miranda et al., 2016: 596.

Material examined. Stn 17, two stems 290 and 80 mm high (NIWA 117343); Stn 18, two stem fragments 300 and 90 mm long (MNCN 2.03/674); Stn 52, basal part of two stems (one mainly hydrorhiza), and two stems up to 240 mm high, basibiont of Abietinella operculata, Billardia subrufa, and Stegella lobata (NIWA 117344); Stn 53, several stem fragments up to 21 mm long (NIWA 117345); Stn 63, stem 120 mm high (MNCN 2.03/675); Stn 108, stem 200 mm high (NIWA 117346); Stn 112, stem 90 mm high (NIWA 117347); Stn 134, stem 190 mm high (MNCN 2.03/676); Stn 178, basally and distally truncated stem 195 mm long, basibiont of Campanularia hicksoni, and basally broken stem 210 mm high, with immature gonothecae (NIWA 117348).

Remarks. See Miranda et al. (2016) for the correct authorship of the species.

Ecology and distribution. Recently revised by González Molinero & Peña Cantero (2015). Eurybathic species, found at depths between 36 and 1890 m (Peña Cantero & Vervoort 2004); present material from 60 to 530 m, basibiont for colonies of Abietinella operculata, Billardia subrufa, Campanularia hicksoni, and Stegella lobata.

Circum-Antarctic distribution (Peña Cantero & Vervoort 1998). In the Ross Sea, already known from the central basin, off Franklin Island and off Cape Adare (Peña Cantero & Vervoort 2004). Present material collected in Robertson Bay and off Cape Adare, Adare Peninsula, Possession Islands and Cape Hallet.