Arossella Anderson, 1993: What is the Type Species (Cirripedia: Balanomorpha)?

Abstract

Arossella ANDERSON, 1993, a subjective senior synonym of Galkinia ROSS and NEWMAN, 1995, is reevaluated in view of its similarity to Hiroa ROSS and NEWMAN, 1973 and to other genera of coral-inhabiting barnacles in the Pyrgomatinae. Based on details revealed by scanning electron microscopy, its supposed synonymy with Galkinia is rejected as stemming from incomplete information and false premises. The type species of Arossella, purportedly“Nobia projectum”, is an unnamed species from the Great Barrier Reef of Australia for which Arossella lynnae n. sp. is proposed.The opercular plates of Paranobia kuri (HOEK, 1913), purportedly“calcified”or“fused”together and therefore inseparable, are in fact readily separable. They are remarkably similar to those of certain species of Pyrgoma LEACH, 1817, to which it is reassigned.Creusia angustiradiata BROCH, 1931 has long been considered a subjective junior synonym of Galkinia indica (ANNANDALE, 1924). However, the tubiferous wall of the former species differs dramatically from the solid wall of the latter and, consequently, the two species are recognized as distinct herein.