Vexillum (Costellaria) germaineae sp. nov.

(Plate 1, Figs 1–3)

Description

Shell slender, fusiform, reaching about 18 mm in length, width about 29% of length. Protoconch consists of 2 to 2.5 glassy, conoidal whorls. Teleoconch consists of up to 9 slightly convex whorls. Slightly convex spire outline. Ten to twelve axial ribs on first whorls, increasing to 26 to 28 ribs on penultimate whorl and 36 to 38 ribs on body whorl. Nine to ten spiral grooves on the penultimate and 20 to 22 spiral grooves on the body whorl divide the interspaces, giving them a slightly cancellated appearance. Aperture shorter than half the entire shell, lirate inside. Lip slightly rounded and recurved towards the siphonal fasciole. Siphonal canal short, wide and slightly recurved. Columella with 4 strong folds, decreasing in size anteriorly. Folds merge into spiral cords when leaving the columellar shield.

Colour pattern: Protoconch and first two to three whorls light brown, remaining whorls white with dark brown dots fading at the margins to lighter brown on the posterior third of the whorls, followed by a completely white area and an interrupted brown line at the periphery of the whorls. Body whorl with pinkish areas in the brown-spotted zone and nearly completely pinkish in the anterior half, where small brown streaks are also present. Aperture and columellar folds whitish to slightly pinkish.

Holotype: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Eiao (7°51'S, 140°40'W), 42 m, collected 24 Aug 1990, J. Poupin (SMCB: stn D38), 15.0 mm x 4.5 mm, MNHN 27083.

Paratype 1: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Nuku Hiva, collected Jul 2000, 17.5 mm x 4.9 mm, AMD.

Paratype 2: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Ua Huka, N /O "Alis", campagne MUSORSTOM 9, stn. DR1297 (8°54'S, 139°37'W), 90–150 m, collected 8 Sep 1997, Bouchet, Dayrat, Richer, 13.2 mm x 4.0 mm, MNHN 27084.

Paratype 3: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Ua Huka, N /O "Alis", campagne MUSORSTOM 9, stn. DR1297 (8°54'S, 139°37'W), 90–150 m, collected 8 Sep 1997, Bouchet, Dayrat, Richer, 12.4 mm x 3.8 mm, MH.

Paratype 4: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Eiao, N /O "Alis", campagne MUSORSTOM 9, stn. DW1274 (8°54'S, 139°37'W), 100–120 m, collected 5 Sep 1997, Bouchet, Dayrat, Richer, 12.5 mm x 3.9 mm, dead with borehole, MNHN 27085.

Type locality: French Polynesia, Marquesas, Eiao (7°51'S, 140°40'W), 42 m.

Distribution: Known only from the Marquesas at depth below 40 m.

Etymology: Named after Germaine Gourguet, wife of Robert Gourguet. For her passion and long years of work on the malacological fauna of French Polynesia. She has collected several samples of new species. This is dedicated to her in recognition of her extreme patience.