Halecium pseudoincertus Pena Cantero 2014

Halecium pseudoincertus Peña Cantero, 2014

(Fig. 16 C)

Halecium pseudoincertus Peña Cantero, 2014b: 271 –273, figs 10B, 12.

Material examined. Stn 8, stem 90 mm high (MNCN 2.03/650); Stn 15, stem 65 mm high (NIWA 117597); Stn 17, eight stems up to 180 mm high on pebbles (NIWA 117598); Stn 102, stem 90 mm high, with hydrorhizal stolons attached to gravel (MNCN 2.03/651); Stn 206, stem 90 mm high (NIWA 117599).

Measurements (in µm). Cnidome: isorhizas [range 9.5–11.0 x 3.0–3.5, mean 10.3±0.5 x 3.3±0.2 (n=11); ratio, range 2.9–3.7, mean 3.1±0.3 (n=11)]; larger microbasic euryteles [range 13.0–14.0 x 6.0, mean 13.4±0.4 x 6.0±0.0 (n=4); ratio, range 2.2–2.3, mean 2.2±0.1 (n=4)].

Remarks. See Peña Cantero (2014b) for the description of the species, as well as for a wide discussion about its similarities with the morphologically close H. incertus Naumov & Stepanjants, 1962.

Ecology and distribution. Shelf and slope species collected at depths from 96 (Peña Cantero 2009) to 1019 m (Peña Cantero 2008); present material between 420 to 975 m, epilithic on pebbles and gravel. Circum-Antarctic distribution (Peña Cantero 2014b). Present material is the first record from the Ross Sea, collected off Cape Adare and Possession Islands.