Granulifusus annae sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 76CA2DC8-A32A-4164-9218-8B50E9AEB780

Figs 4E, 6

Pseudolatirus kurodai Couto et al., 2016: table 1, fig. 6J (not of Okutani & Sakurai 1964).

Pseudolatirus kuroseanus Couto, 2016: 41, fig. 28 (not of Okutani 1975). [The shell depicted under the same name on fig. 27 was accidentally switched in the collection with the shell of sequenced specimen MNHN IM-2013-14709]

Molecular diagnosis

A molecular diagnosis is given in Table 2.

Diagnosis

Shell thin but solid, slender, fusiform, up to 55 mm, protoconch multispiral of 2.25 whorls. Teleoconch whorls convex, axial sculpture of broad, raised axial ribs, spiral sculpture of evenly spaced, strong cords, 35 on last whorl. Aperture lirate inside, columella with several weak plicae. Teleoconch light tan with darker spiral cords.

Etymology

The specific epithet pays homage to Ann Snyder, in fitting tribute for this elegant and beautiful species.

Type material

Holotype

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Rempi Area, 05°03′ S, 145°49′ E, 120 m, expedition PAPUA NIUGINI, stn PP08, sequenced (Fig. 6 A–C) (MNHN IM-2013-14709).

Sequenced material

NEW CALEDONIA: EXBODI: 1 lv, stn CP3823, 21°55′ S, 166°55′ E, 246–255 m (MNHN IM-2013- 42520).

PHILIPPINES: AURORA 2007: 3 lv, stn CP2716, 14°30′ N, 121°41′ E, 335–356 m (MNHN IM-2007- 34487, MNHN IM-2007-34585, MNHN IM-2007-34609); 2 lv, stn CP2717, 14°29′ N, 121°43′ E, 311– 361 m (MNHN IM-2007-34486, MNHN IM-2007-34586).

Other material examined (all in MNHN) VANUATU: MUSORSTOM 8: 2 dd, stn DW1003, 18°49′ S, 168°59′ E, 200–327 m; 1 lv, stn CP1123,

15°07′ S, 166°55′ E, 262– 352 m.

NEW CALEDONIA: HALIPRO 1: 1 dd, stn CP853, 21°45′ S, 166°37′ E, 241–250 m; 2 juv. dd, stn CC855, 21°45′ S, 166°37′ E, 204–220 m; 2 dd, 1 juv. dd, stn CP866, 21°26′ S, 166°17′ E, 550– 600 m. – BATHUS 1: 1 lv (radula examined), stn CP669, 20°57′ S, 165°35′ E, 255–280 m; 2 dd, stn CP695,

20°35′ S, 164°58′ E, 410–430 m; 1 dd, stn CP710, 21°43′ S, 166°36′ E, 320–386 m; 1dd, stn CP713, 21°45′ S, 166°37′ E, 250 m.

LOYALTY RIDGE: MUSORSTOM 6: 1 lv (?), stn DW449, 20°54′ S, 167°18′ E, 300 m.

FIJI: MUSORSTOM 10: 1 dd, stn CP1320, 17°16.8′ S, 177°53.6′ E, 290–300 m; 1dd, stn DW1384, 18°18.5′ S, 178°05.8′ E, 260– 305 m. – BORDAU 1: 1 lv (?), 2 dd, stn CP1402, 16°38′ S, 179°36′ E, 260–279 m; 1lv, 1dd, stn CP1403, 16°40′ S, 179°36′ E, 220– 224 m.

Description

Shell thin, slender, fusiform, consisting of 2.25 protoconch and 8.5 teleoconch whorls (in holotype). Protoconch bluntly conical (Fig. 6C), with moderately convex whorls, last ½ whorl with 6 axial riblets, protoconch/teleoconch discontinuity distinct. Protoconch diameter 930 µm, exposed height 850 µm. Teleoconch whorls convex, suture deep, impressed. Axial sculpture of broad, raised axial ribs, running from suture to suture, in holotype 9 on first whorl, 8 on 2 nd– 6 th whorls and 9 on last whorl. Spiral sculpture of evenly spaced, strong, raised cords, 3–4 on earlier whorls, abapicalmost strongest, 6 on antepenultimate and penultimate whorls, 35 on last whorl. Between major cords, 1–3 smaller secondary cords, slightly nodulose at intersection with raised growth lines. Siphonal canal open, long, straight. Aperture with 12 weak lirae inside. Inner lip completely adherent to columella, forming very thin, shiny columellar callus with 5 weak columellar plicae. No umbilicus. Protoconch light brown, interior of aperture white. Teleoconch light-tan with still lighter spiral band on shell periphery, spiral cords tan, usually darker than background, upper spiral whorls brownish adapically.

Operculum small, length in holotype 5.3 mm, occupying slightly more than ¼ of aperture without canal, oval, nucleus supposingly terminal, older part of operculum missing.

Holotype measurements: SL 50.3 mm, AL (with canal) 30.0 mm, SW 15.9 mm.

Radula (Fig. 4E, New Caledonia, BATHUS 1, stn CP669, 20°57′ S, 165°35′ E, 255–280 m, shell on Fig. 6F) narrow, distance between outer edges of lateral teeth about 60 µm (0.48% of AL without canal). Lateral teeth medium broad, arcuate, with attenuated outer anterior corner, producing medium long ‘handle’. Lateral teeth with outermost very short small cusp (Fig. 4E, black arrows), four broadly spaced and slightly recurved, long cusps, subequal in length. Inner anterior corner also attenuated, forming a triangular outgrowth, sometimes bearing indistinct an additional innermost small cusp. Central tooth small, very narrow (length to width ratio 5), with three short and blunt cusps, central longest. Narrow but distinct transverse folds of membrane situated serially between rows of lateral teeth, on both sides of central teeth (white arrow).

The radula of the holotype was examined and illustrated by Couto (2016: fig. 28) under the name Pseudolatirus kuroseanus. It is in all details similar to the radula figured here, the minor differences are that the outermost small cusp is more distinct, the innermost outgrowth bears a distinct small cusp, and the cusps of the central teeth are sharp rather than blunt.

Distribution

Philippines, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, 120–600 m, alive in 120– 360 m.

Remarks

This species is moderately variable both in slenderness of the shell and in whorl convexity. Rarely the spiral cords are lighter than the shell background (observed in sequenced juvenile specimen MNHN IM-2007-34609).

This new species is similar to G. kurodai comb. nov. and has been confused with it, but can be distinguished by a different protoconch, consisting of 2.25 whorls in G. annae sp. nov. rather than only 1.75 whorls in G. kurodai comb. nov., as well as by a straight siphonal canal, darker shell coloration, and more pronounced and less numerous primary spiral cords (6 on penultimate whorl in G. annae sp. nov. and 10 in paratype of G. kurodai comb. nov.). The species is also conchologically similar to G. jeanpierrevezzaroi comb. nov., differing in the more brownish background shell colour with more contrastingly coloured spiral cords, more dense axial ribs and a smaller protoconch. The molecular analysis clearly differentiates these species.

The radula of the new species is somewhat different from its congeners in having longer and more broadly spaced cusps on the lateral teeth.