Galeripora galeriformis González-Miguéns, Soler-Zamora, Villar-Depablo, Todorov & Lara, 2022, SP. NOV.

GALERIPORA GALERIFORMIS GONZÁLEZ- MIGUÉNS, SOLER- ZAMORA, VILLAR- DEPABLO, TODOROV & LARA, SP. NOV.

(FIG. 4)

Z o o b a n k r e g i s t r a t i o n: u r n: l s i d: z o o b a n k. org:act: 09628A92-07D4-4DA7-BF68-A803B3A9D5D5.

Holotype: MA-Algae11253.

Specific diagnosis: Test diameter: 71.65–74.95 µm, average 73.20 µm (N = 4); aperture 11.15 to 12.10 µm average 11.50 µm (N = 4). Colour ranges from transparent to yellow-orange. General test shape is rounded and flattened.

The aboral side of the test has a small elevation at the top that gives the test a helmet shape; the surface does not have pores and presents a granular pattern of irregular shape. Large ridges cross the aboral side of the test. The oral side of the test is smooth, covered with an organic matrix that prevents the observation of test building units, with a central aperture. Pores are localized on the brim of the oral side and around the aperture, following a circular pattern. The aperture is invaginated outwards forming a short ring or lip.

Intraspecific variability: The shape and number of ridges on the aboral side of the test can be variable. The number of pores around the aperture is variable. There may be certain deformations in the test that prevent it from having a perfectly circular morphology.

Diagnosis with closely related species: Galeripora galeriformis can be diagnosed by its specific sequences of the mtDNA markers and by its phylogenetic placement (see Molecular phylogeny; Fig. 1). Differs morphologically from other species closely related to Galeripora arenaria by presenting (1) morphometric differences (see Morphometrics and morphology; Fig. 2), with a smaller test and aperture diameters than all species presented here; (2) pores along the edge of the base test; (3) presence of a dome in the top part of the test; and (4) irregular granulations of the top surface of the test.

Habitat: Moss on dry gypsum; terrestrial.

Type locality: Spain, Madrid, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, near Laguna del Campillo (40°19’N 3°30’W).

Etymology: The name is derived from the Latin galerus, helmet, and forma, shape. We propose this name because a Roman helmet is round and wide with a flat brim, similar to the test of this species.