Apiophragma Hayward & Ryland 1993

Genus Apiophragma Hayward & Ryland, 1993

Revised diagnosis. Colony encrusting, small, spot-like. Autozooids arranged contiguously in quincunx, communicating via basal pore-chambers. Gymnocyst continuous around zooid, narrow to moderately well developed. Cryptocyst and opesia surrounded by a distinct raised rim, the cryptocystal shelf extensive, flat, with a pair of opesiules. Opesia generally a little wider than long, rounded distally, straight proximally, constricted in proximal third. Articulated spines perioral only; 0–2 additional tiny spines on each lateral gymnocyst. No avicularia. Ooecium hyperstomial, acleithral, smooth with carinate slit in proximal half. Ooecial kenozooid protruding distally, with small opesial foramen surrounded by granular cryptocyst. Ancestrula resembling later zooids but with slightly longer opesia and pericryptocystal spines.

Type species. Megapora hyalina Waters, 1904, by original designation.

Remarks. The discovery of well-preserved ovicellate colonies of Apiophragma hyalina in a NIWA benthic collection from the Ross Sea allows the resolution of ambiguous and overlooked features (below).