New species of the xenophyophore genus Aschemonella (Rhizaria: Foraminifera) from areas of the abyssal eastern Pacific licensed for polymetallic nodule exploration

作者：Gooday Andrew J.^*; Holzmann Maria; Caulle Clemence; Goineau Aurelie; Jones Daniel O. B.; Kamenskaya Olga; Simon-Lledo Erik; Weber Alexandra A. -T.; Pawlowski Jan

来源：Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2018, 182(3): 479-499.

DOI：10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx052

• abyssal megafauna
• biodiversity
• Clarion-Clipperton Zone
• deep-sea benthos
• deep-sea mining
• protist

We describe Aschemonella monile Gooday and Holzmann sp. nov. from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ, abyssal eastern equatorial Pacific), a region characterized by commercially significant concentrations of polymetallic nodules. The new species is the most abundant xenophyophore (giant agglutinated foraminifera) in our main sampling area (12-14 degrees N; 116 degrees 30'-117 degrees 26'W). Additional specimens originate from the central CCZ, and from a third area, similar to 900 km NW of the main area, where A. monile numerically dominates the megabenthos in photographic surveys of the seafloor (average densities 1.54 individuals/m(2); peak densities > 3 individuals/m(2)). Aschemonella monile is much larger (>= 7 cm in length) than previously described species of the genus, with a test comprising an irregular sequence of self-contained, partly overlapping 'segments', creating a multichambered structure. A similar, much rarer species from the main study area, described here as Aschemonella aspera Gooday and Holzmann sp. nov., has an unsegmented test with a very rough, coarsely agglutinated wall. Genetic data suggest that A. monile is distinct from A. aspera and most closely related to a group comprising Rhizammina algaeformis and Aschemonella ramuliformis. Both new species have delicate tests that are often attached to nodule surfaces, making them particularly vulnerable to seafloor disturbances.

• 出版日期2018-3