Vexillum? sp.

Fig. 31H

Material. A single external mould, MGUH 33264.

Occurrence. Lithified top of the Maastrichtian Højerup Member at Højerup, Stevns Klint.

Description. Protoconch high conical, 1.1 mm high and 1.0 mm wide, consisting of close to four smooth, weakly convex whorls. Transition to teleoconch sharp.

Teleoconch fusiform with moderately convex and high whorls separated by shallow suture. Whorl width corresponding to just over 1.5 times the height. Whorls with pronounced shoulder and adapical restriction, giving the spire a stepped outline. Whorl periphery located slightly abapically of mid-whorl. Last whorl corresponding to approximately 75 % of shell height, ending abapically in short and fairly broad canal. Aperture unknown.

Teleoconch sculpture dominated by 9–10 coarse and rounded costae beginning just below adapical restriction and continuing down onto shell base, where they fade out at transition to canal. Costae crossed by spiral lirae numbering around eight on spire whorls, but covering the whole last whorl evenly. Lirae fading somewhat out on costae, but this may be due to wear. Growth lines very weakly sigmoid.

Measurements. MGUH 33264 is 7.3 mm high and 3.5 mm wide, consisting of protoconch and 2 ½ teleoconch whorls.

Remarks. The taxon looks very similar to the Danien Vexillum? rosenkrantzi n. sp. described above and more material may perhaps show them to be conspecific. Vexillum? sp. differs by having four protoconch whorls and a slightly higher number of transverse ribs. The adapical whorl collar may also be slightly more pronounced.