First record of Calyptotheca alexandriensis (Cheilostomatida, Lanceoporidae) from Ras Juddi (Pasni) Makran coast, Northern Arabian Sea

Year 2025, Volume: 14 Issue: 2, 115 - 121, 30.06.2025

Qadeer Mohammad Ali , Ateeqa Baloch , Quratulan Ahmed , Paul D. Taylor , Levent Bat

https://doi.org/10.33714/masteb.1673110

Abstract

The available information regarding bryozoans in coastal areas of Pakistan is limited. This research paper presents the first record of Calyptotheca alexandriensis from Ras Juddi (Pasni) along the Makran coast, and the second record globally of this species. This species was first reported in the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria, Egypt, as a distinctive deep orange erect foliaceous bryozoan and was observed abundantly on various hard substrates, such as rocks, ropes, metal pipes supporting marina piers, and ship hulls. The discovery adds a new record of the family, Lanceoporidae, and genus, Calyptotheca, to the bryozoan fauna of Pakistan, expanding its known distribution to the Northern Arabian Sea. The present specimens were collected during December 2021–October 2022 and subjected to detailed taxonomic analysis using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This study contributes to the understanding of bryozoan biodiversity in the region and highlights the potential for further discoveries along the unexplored coastal areas of Pakistan.

Keywords

Calyptotheca alexandriensis , Lanceoporidae , New record , Ras Juddi , Makran Coast , Northern Arabian Sea

Thanks

We would like to express our gratitude to the Marine Reference Collection and Resource Centre at the University of Karachi for generously providing the facilities needed for sample collection and laboratory analysis. We extend our sincere thanks to the MRC & RC research team for their efforts in sample and data collection. Special appreciation goes to Mr. Kashif Jameel and Syed Umar for their invaluable assistance in the field, and to Mr. Abrar Ali for his guidance and help with the photography.

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