Conus (Lautoconus) sp. 3

Figs 10, 20, 40E; Table 5

Conus (Chelyconus) clavatulus – Caze 2010: fig. 33f (non Conus clavatulus d’Orbigny, 1852).

Material examined

GREECE – Crete • 1 spec.; Voleones; Tortonian; 1990; Didier Merle leg.; Action spécifique du Muséum project (1989–1990) exped.; MNHN.F.A30844 • 1 spec.; Action spécifique du Muséum project (1989– 1990) exped.; MNHN.F.A83012.

Shell description

Large (estimated SL: 172.7 mm), elongate, sturdy shell. Spire whorl outline conical. Early spire whorls conical, later spire whorls conical, with slightly convex outline. Shoulder rounded, with maximum diameter just below shoulder. Suture slightly impressed. Subsutural flexure very shallow, very weakly curved, nearly symmetrical (Fig. 40E). Last whorl elongated, straight. Aperture straight. Apertural canal short, wide, fasciole twisted.

Colour pattern variation

Three levels of colouration are present in this species. The first one consists of two fluorescent bands, which are on the middle and anterior parts of the shell. The second one is a pattern of spirally arranged alterations of non-fluorescent and fluorescent dots. The third level is displayed between the spiral alterations of dots. It consists of a series of fluorescent, arrow-like blotches-tents, pointing in the opposite direction of the shell growth, alternated by non-fluorescent areas. The non-fluorescent areas might have one or two dots between the fluorescent arrows. Along with the second level of fluorescent dots, irregular fluorescent flammulae appear on the spire whorls.

Remarks

The colour pattern of the species is unique in the studied material.The relatively rounded spire whorls and the lack of tubercles on early spire whorls allow us to categorize it as an elongated Conus (Lautoconus). Caze (2010) identified this specimen (MNHN.F.A30844) (Fig. 10) as Conus (Chelyconus) clavatulus d’Orbigny, 1852, originally described from the early Miocene of Saubrigues (France). Hall (1966: pl. 23 figs 23–24) illustrated the type material (a syntype from the early Miocene of “Dax-Saubrigues”, Aquitaine) of Conus clavatulus from the collection of Grateloup. The shell of this specimen resembles Conus (Lautoconus) sp. 3. Conus subclavatus d’Orbigny, 1852, another species of the early Miocene of the Aquitaine Basin, is known from a syntype (MNHN.F. A13055) of the d’Orbigny’s collection and is rather similar to Conus clavatulus. Since the patterns of both species remain unknown, we refrain from attributing the Cretan specimens to one of these species. Additionally, C. (Lautoconus) sp. 3 differs from the figured specimens of Kovács & Vicián (2013) from the Langhian of Hungary, named Varioconus clavatulus (d’Orbigny, 1852), in the higher spire and the more angulated shoulder. Finally, this species is not Conus (Lautoconus) ponderosus Brocchi, 1814 as it has a slightly higher spire and more elongate last whorl.

Stratigraphic range

Tortonian of Greece (Voleones, Apostoli Basin, Crete).