Parachondria (Chondropomorus) anatolensis Watters, 2016, new species

Parachondria (Chondropomorus) anatolensis new species

Figures 1 A–H, 5 A

Type material. UF 216728, holotype, 14.6 mm; UF 216728, paratype 1, 14.4 mm; UF 216728, paratype 2, 14.4 mm; UF 216 728, paratype 3, 12.3 mm; UF 216728, paratype 4, 11.8 mm.

Type locality. 100 m, 16 km S of Higüey, La Altagracia Province, Dominican Republic.

Distribution and habitat. This is the eastern-most species of the complex, occurring on low limestone knolls.

Material examined (12 specimens). Dominican Republic. UF 216728(7), 100 m, 16 km S of Higüey, La Altagracia Province; UF 33417(4), 17.9 km NW of Punta Cana, La Altagracia Province; UF 216624(1), 1 km NE of El Macao, La Altagracia Province.

Description. Shell solid, opaque, high-spired, elongate conic. Maximum adult size: 14.6 mm, decollate.

Minimum adult size: 10.2 mm, decollate. Adult shell decollated. Protoconch of 1.5 pale tan, smooth whorls with dark brown suture. Teleoconch of 5 whorls. Axial sculpture of final whorl of numerous (ca. 110–130) fine, widely spaced threads. Growth stoppage lines present. Spiral sculpture of final whorl of ca. 36–40 fine threads, obsolete below suture and on base. Every 5th or 6th spiral thread on periphery of whorl slightly enlarged into weak carinations. Intersections of sculpture forming elongated beads and fenestrations. Umbilicus smooth within but bounded by single well-developed cord. Suture indented but not channeled. 2–6 axial threads, rarely fused, form groups of cusps that begin at growth stoppage mark and then fade away. Aperture oval, lip double. Inner lip may be fused to outer lip and be nearly obsolete. Outer lip widely expanded, except narrower facing umbilicus, slightly recurved abaperturally; widely adnate with body whorl. Posterior auricle lacking but slightly fimbriated auricle at 8 o’clock position. Color pattern complex but with consistent features. Base color off-white or tan. Smudged, dark brown and white axial dots that mark leading edge of growth stoppage areas; bands continue as brown bands on both sides of outer lip, tending to few narrow, weak spiral bands near umbilicus; umbilicus without bands. A brown band below the suture is interrupted by groups of white cusps. Spiral carinations may have white beads. Operculum not seen.

Variation in specimens. The few specimens seen differ primarily in the degree of coloration; a few are conspicuously darker.

Comparison with other species. This small species is most similar to P. silvaticus and P. hispaniolae. Those species differ in their coarser sculpture: 70–80 axial threads in P. silvaticus and ca. 90 threads in P. hispaniolae vs. 110–130 threads in P. anatolensis; 14–16 spiral threads in P. silvaticus and 25 threads in P. hispaniolae vs. 36–40 threads in P. anatolensis. The group of white sutural elements contrasting with and interrupting a dark spiral band is diagnostic.

Remarks. Bartsch (1946) had no records for most of the eastern Dominican Republic. This is the first species of the complex identified from this area. Given the widespread nature of this group as a whole the presence of this species here is not unexpected.

Etymology. G. anatole, sunrise, east + suffix – ensis, from; from the east.