Profundiconus neocaledonicus Tenorio & Castelin 2016

Profundiconus neocaledonicus Tenorio & Castelin, 2016

Figs 2, 10–11

Profundiconus neocaledonicus Tenorio & Castelin, 2016: 33, figs 15a–j, 16a–c, 17.

Conus profundorum (non Chelyconus (Profundiconus) profundorum Kuroda, 1956) – Rolán & RaybaudiMassilia 1994: 33, pl. 11 fig. 82. — Röckel et al. 1995a: 563, fig. 22; 1995b: 381, pl. 27 fig. 16.

Profundiconus cf. profundorum – Puillandre et al. 2014: supplementary material 1 (unfigured).

Profundiconus neocaledonicus – Monnier et al. 2018a: 128.

Material examined

100 lots (about 150 specimens). See Supp. file 1.

Type material

Holotype NEW CALEDONIA • 45.9 mm; Norfolk Ridge, Banc Crypthélia, off New Caledonia, stn DW3076; 23°14′ S, 168°13′; 390–570 m depth; 23 Oct. 2008; TERRASSES expedition; MNHN-IM-2009-18227 (Fig. 10A).

Figured material

NEW CALEDONIA • 61.3 mm; SE part of Mont Vauban, off New Caledonia, stn DW3889; 22°25′ S, 171°41′ E; 354 m depth; 19 Sep. 2011; EXBODI expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10B, L–M) • 52.6 mm; Norfolk Ridge, off New Caledonia, stn DW167; 23º38′ S, 167º43′ E; 430‒452 m depth; 29 Jan. 1993; SMIB 8 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10C) • 54.5 mm; off S New Caledonia, stn CC1; 24º55′ S, 168º22′ E; 500 m depth; 28 Oct. 1986; CHALCAL 2 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10D) • 67.3 mm; Norfolk Ridge, Banc N, off New Caledonia, stn DW1657; 23º28′ S, 167º52′ E; 305‒332 m depth; 19 Jun. 2001; NORFOLK 1 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10E) • 65.1 mm; Loyalty Ridge, off New Caledonia, stn DW406; 20º41′ S, 167º07′ E; 373 m depth; 15 Feb. 1989; MUSORSTOM 6 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10F) • 92 mm; Norfolk Ridge, Banc P, off New Caledonia, stn DW1732; 23º29′ S, 168º16′ E; 347‒1063 m depth; 27 Jun. 2001; NORFOLK 1 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10G) • 44.3 mm; off S New Caledonia, stn DW22; 23º03′ S, 167º19′ E; 503 m depth; 24 May 1987; SMIB 3 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10H) • 53.4 mm; Norfolk Ridge, off New Caledonia, stn CP811; 23º41′ S, 168º15′ E; 383–408 m depth; 28 Nov. 1993; BATHUS 3 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10I) • 71.8 mm; off S New Caledonia, stn DW82; 23º14′ S, 168º04′ E; 304 m depth; 31 Oct. 1986; CHALCAL 2 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10J) • 39.9 mm; Norfolk Ridge, Île des Pins, off New Caledonia, stn DW2156; 22º54′ S, 167º15′ E; 468‒500 m depth; 5 Nov. 2003; NORFOLK 2 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 10K).

Geographical distribution and bathymetry

New Caledonia: Norfolk Ridge and Loyalty Islands, typically at depths between 300 and 600 m, although some individuals come from beyond 1000 m deep. Some specimens have been sampled in the Coral Sea (Argo Bank) and in the Grand Passage area. A couple of empty shells resembling P. neocaledonicus from Aliguay Island, Philippines have been examined, but their identity was not confirmed by radular or DNA studies. This observation might suggest an extension of the distribution range to the Philippines, but would require additional evidence (Tenorio & Castelin 2016).

Remarks

Medium-sized to moderately large (maximum length 92.0 mm). Protoconch multispiral of 3 or more whorls, white to pale violet-brown (Fig. 10L). Radular tooth (Fig. 10M) rather small. Anterior portion of tooth shorter than posterior section, with pointed blade covering about one half of apical portion of tooth. External cusp present, not much widened laterally and with indistinct serrations, with only 0–3 small blunt denticles. Characteristic fringe of closely spaced projections pointing towards apex located immediately below waist. Shaft fold present. Large and prominent basal spur on top of slanted base of tooth. In the phylogeny (Fig. 2), the specimens of P. neocaledonicus are grouped in a clade sister to another large one containing specimens of P. teramachii mixed with some individuals of P. smirnoides.