Turbonilla iseborae Lygre & Schander, 2010, new species

Turbonilla iseborae new species

(Fig. 6 A–D)

Type material: Holotype, Bergen Museum ZMBN 86660 One paratype, type locality, Bergen Museum 86661. One paratype Gothenburg Natural History Museum, GNM Gen. kat. 2010-22.255.

Type locality: Gabon station G2, 00º 19’N, 09º 19’E, 24 m.

Material examined: Type material.

Etymology: The species is named after the late Catherine Ekaete Isebor from the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine research, Lagos Nigeria, who was local cruise leader and GCLME-representative during the cruises with R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen from 2004-2006 where some of the material used here was collected. Catherine was an outstanding scientist and a future leader from the region who died unexpectedly only months from finalizing her PhD in 2006.

Description: Shell small, delicate, conical, milky white with blunt apex. Protoconch of type A-II, small and semi-submerged. Whorls convex. Suture distinct, but not deep. Axial sculpture consisting of numerous, shallow and sinuous grooves, not equal or equidistant. Axial sculpture ending abruptly at the periphery of the ultimate whorl. The base is smooth. Spiral sculpture consisting of fine spiral striae on the initial whorl, and the upper third of the second whorl. Aperture oval. No columellar tooth, and no umbilicus.

Distribution: Gabon, 24 m.

Remarks: This species has a protoconch similar to Turbonilla oliverioi Peñas & Rolán, 1997. The sculpture is also similar to this species, but is more sinuous in Turbonilla iseborae. The fine spiral striae seen in Turbonilla iseborae are also seen in the initial whorl of some specimens of T. oliverioi, but not on the second whorl. Turbonilla syrtensis van Aartsen, 1981 has a similar shape and protoconch, but the axial sculpture consists of straight ribs that are much broader than the interspaces.