Parasmittina macroavicularia, status promotus (Bryozoa: Smittinidae): redescription and promotion to species rank

The little-known subspecies Parasmittina trispinosa macroavicularia (Androsova, 1958) has only been recorded from its type locality near Moneron Island in the Sea of Japan. Based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the holotype, the diagnostic characters of this taxon have been refined, and it is hereby redescribed. This subspecies is promoted to species rank under the name Parasmittina macroavicularia (Androsova, 1958), status promotus, following a comparison with the nominate subspecies P. trispinosa trispinosa (Johnston, 1838) from the North Atlantic, which revealed significant differences in their diagnostic characters.