REVIEW OF THE FOSSIL STYLASTERIDAE (CNIDARIA, HYDROZOA) FROM THE NEW-ZEALAND REGION

The five previously reported fossil calcified hydroids from the New Ze aland region are discussed, resulting in: a change of generic placemen t of two species (Stylaster sensu Jones, 1970 to Calyptopora; and Para errina sensu Squires, 1962 to Lepidopora), and a query of the identifi cation of Sporadopora mortenseni sensu Squires, 1962. Several records of bryozoans reported as stylasterids are also rectified. Four additio nal fossil stylasterids are reported from the region: indeterminate sp ecies of Inferiolabiata and Conopora from the early Miocene (Otaian) o f Pakaurangi Point; a species of Errina from the early to middle Eocen e (Waipawan-Bortonian) of Chatham Island; and a new species, Stylaster gigas, from the early Pliocene (Opoitian) of Kaawa Beach, North Islan d. S. gigas has one of the most massive coralla of any known stylaster id. The nine fossil stylasterids now known from the New Zealand region range from the early Eocene to the late Pliocene and are found from b oth North and South Islands as well as Chatham and Pitt Islands.