Genus 284. Octopyle,[1] Haeckel, 1881, Prodromus, p. 464.
Definition.—Pylonida with trizonal lentelliptical medullary shell, surrounded by two crossed, latticed, cortical girdles; one smaller (primary) transverse, and one larger (secondary) lateral girdle. Four gates between the two cortical girdles divided by a sagittal septum into eight gates.
The genus Octopyle comprises those Pylonida which are distinguished from the nearly allied Tetrapyle by the development of a sagittal septum, dividing the four gates of the latter into eight separate gates. The septum begins with the formation of two axial rods or columellæ, which afterwards become branched; the branches communicating one with another and with the middle parts of the lateral girdle (on the poles of the principal axis), there is formed a latticed septum in the sagittal plane, which separates more or less incompletely the right and left halves of the shell. The four gates of Tetrapyle become halved by this septum, and their number doubled.
Subgenus 1. Octopylissa, Haeckel.
Definition.—Cortical shell smooth or thorny, but without larger symmetrically disposed spines.
1. Octopyle ovulina, n. sp.
Cortical shell lentelliptical, smooth, without thorns. Lateral girdle elliptical, one and a third times as long as broad. Transverse girdle narrow, with two pores on the isthmus (or on the narrowest part of each quadrant). Sagittal septum as long as the elliptical medullary shell. Eight gates egg-shaped.
Dimensions.—Length of the medullary shell 0.05, breadth 0.035; length of the cortical shell 0.16, breadth 0.12.
Habitat.—Pacific, central area, Station 274, surface.
2. Octopyle quadrata, n. sp.
Cortical shell thorny, nearly square, of equal length and breadth. Lateral girdle quadrangular, with rounded edges, of equal length and breadth. Transverse girdle narrow, with three pores on the isthmus. Sagittal septum of the same length as the subspherical medullary shell. Eight gates nearly circular.
Dimensions.—Diameter of the medullary shell 0.04, of the cortical shell 0.14.
Habitat.—Northern Pacific, Station 244, depth 2900 fathoms.
- ↑ Octopyle = With eight gate-openings; ὀκτώ, πύλη.
