Brocchinia verheckeni n. sp.

(Figures 1–5)

Type material: Holotype, MZUSP 77665 [Lt 4.3 mm, Wt 2.1 mm]; Paratype 1, MZUSP 77070, along the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, D­24, 04 °51’40’’ S, 35°08’01’’ W, 384 m, muddy substrate, 24.xi.2001; Paratype 2, MHNC 64505, along the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, D­04, 08°42,1’00’’S, 34°44,1’00’’W, 465 m, muddy bottom, 25.iii.2000; Paratype 3, LMUFRPE 0 0 8, along the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, D­11, 08°46,5’00’’S, 34°44,5’00’’W, 690 m, muddy bottom, 18.xi.2000; Paratype 4, MZUSP 77071, along the state of Ceará, Brazil, D­20, 03 °30’51’’S, 37°59’28’’W, 384 m, muddy bottom, 07.xi.2001; Paratype 5, MNRJ 10575, along the state of Ceará, Brazil, D­20, 03 °30’51’’S, 37°59’28’’W, 384 m, muddy bottom, 07.xi.2001; Paratype 6, MNRJ 10576, along the state of Alagoas, Brazil, D­32, 09 °20’30’’S, 34°59’11’’W, 452 m, muddy bottom, 18.xii.2001; Paratype 7, MORG 50.657, along the state of Sergipe, Brazil, D­06, 10°41,4’00’’S, 36°18’07’’W, 365 m, muddy bottom, 28.x.2000; Paratype 8, MNRJ 10577, along the state of Sergipe, Brazil, D­06, 10°41,4’00’’S, 36°18’07’’W, 365 m, muddy bottom, 28.x.2000; Paratype 9, MORG 50.658, along the state of Sergipe, Brazil, D­06, 10°41,4’00’’S, 36°18’07’’W, 365 m, muddy bottom, 28.x.2000; Paratype 10, LMUFRPE 0 0 9, along the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, D­11, 08°46,5’00’’S, 34°44,5’00’’W, 690 m, muddy bottom, 18.xi.2000.

Type Locality: Along the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil (“Natureza”, D­27, 06 °14’24”S, 34°52’06”W,), at a depth of 500 meters, muddy bottom, 26.xii.2001.

Diagnosis: Globular protoconch with 1 whorl, teleoconch with 3¼ whorls, first whorl with 2 smooth or slightly nodulose spiral cords, penultimate whorl with 3 strongly nodulose spiral cords, body whorl with 4 spiral cords, the uppermost forming a crown at the shoulder; base with 2 smooth spiral cords; aperture with internal lirae, columella biplicate.

Description: Solid, white, nodulose conical shell (Lt 4.0–4.4 mm) (Figs. 1–2). Globular, paucispiral, smooth protoconch of 1 whorl (Fig. 4), with transition to teleoconch marked by straight axial edge (Fig. 5). Teleoconch with 3¼ whorls (Fig. 2). First post­nuclear whorl initially ornamented by 2 smooth or slightly nodulose spiral cords, with third cord appearing at end of this whorl. Spiral sculpture formed by 3 strongly nodulose spiral cords on last 2 whorls, with 3 more smooth basal cords appearing on body whorl; uppermost appearing at the suture at posterior end of aperture. Axial sculpture formed by strong nodulose ribs emerging from under suture, crossed by equally spaced spiral cords, with uppermost forming small crown on the shoul­ der. Suture deeply incised, forming broad suprasutural furrow. Strongly conical base, ornamented by 2 smooth spiral cords that emerge from the interior of the aperture, with a large abapical smooth area. Shell entirely marked by strong axial growth lines. Elliptical aperture, thin prosocline outer lip, with 5 to 6 internal lirae, normally 6, that do not reach the edge. Inner lip strongly reflected, weakly developed parietal region, with no callus (Fig. 3). Columella a bit inclined to right, with 2 evident folds, posterior slightly larger. Slight dorsal deflection at end of columella, which unites with the outer lip to form a weak siphonal notch.

Etymology: in homage to Mr. André Verhecken of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science, Malacology Section, who studied Brazilian Brocchinia species.

Geographic Distribution: From the State of Ceará to state of Sergipe, Northeast Brazil.