Gonimyrtea avia n. sp.

(Figs 12 G-L; 13C)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: 1 sh, L 11.1 mm, H 9.9 mm, T 2.7 mm (MNHN).

Paratype: Loyalty Ridge, stn 442, 20°54’S, 167°17’E, 200 m, 1 LV, L 8.7 mm, H 8.3 mm, T 2.5 mm (MNHN).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Coral Sea, Lansdowne-Fairway Banks, CORAIL 2, stn DW 18, 20°44’S, 161°00’E, 69 m.

ETYMOLOGY. — Latin avius, remote.

DESCRIPTION Shells small, H to 10 mm, L to 11 mm, subcircular, anteriorly extended, moderately inflated (T/L 0.24), umbones lie posterior of mid-line. Sculpture of closely spaced, low, regular, commarginal lamellae. Lunule lanceolate, slightly impressed. Ligament shallowly inset. Hinge plate narrow, RV with one cardinal tooth, a small anterior lateral tooth, posterior lateral absent. LV with two cardinal teeth, the anterior larger, posterior a narrow ridge, lateral teeth absent. Anterior adductor scar short, detached from pallial line for 1/4 of length. Traces of adductor scars marked by radial ridges on interior of shell. Posterior scar ovate. Pallial line entire. Inner shell margin smooth.

REMARKS

Gonimyrtea avia n. sp. is similar to G. fidelis n. sp. in external sculpture but the shell is much less inflated and longer anteriorly.