Conus (Kurodaconus) darkini Tenorio & Puillandre 2023

Conus (Kurodaconus) darkini R̂ckel, Korn & Richard, 1993

Figs 2, 61A–C, I, 62

Conus darkini R̂ckel et al., 1993: 48, figs 1–4.

Conus darkini – R̂ckel et al. 1995b: no. 119, pl. 27 figs 22–25.

Embrikena darkini – Tucker & Tenorio 2013: 161.

Turriconus (Kurodaconus) darkini – Monnier et al. 2018a: 347.

Material examined

4 lots (4 specimens). See Supp. file 1.

Type material

Holotype NEW CALEDONIA • 55.7 mm; Loyalty Ridge, LIFOU, E Cap de Pins, off New Caledonia, stn CP467; 21º06′ S, 167º32′ E; 530‒575 m depth; 21 Feb. 1989; MUSORSTOM 6 expedition; MNHNIM- 2000-2568 (Fig. 61A).

Figured material

NEW CALEDONIA • 57.3 mm; Récif Pétrie, off New Caledonia, stn DW3930; 18°37′ S, 164°26′ E; 448‒464 m depth; 26 Sep. 2011; EXBODI expedition; MNHN (Fig. 61B, I) • 78 mm; Norfolk Ridge, Banc Munida, off New Caledonia, stn CP2143; 23º01′ S, 168º17′ E; 564‒590 m depth; 3 Nov. 2003; NORFOLK 2 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 61C).

Geographical distribution and bathymetry

New Caledonia: Loyalty Ridge and Norfolk Ridge, at depths between 400 and 600 m. Also reported from the Philippines (Balut Island) and the Kita-Koho area (Philippine Sea), at depths between 285– 325 m. One specimen known from French Polynesia, dredged between 300 and 600 m off Moorea.

Remarks

Shell moderately large to large (maximum shell length 87 mm), ventricosely conical to conical, with a high or moderate stepped spire of straight or slightly concave profile. Larval shell multispiral of about 3.5 whorls. Radular tooth (Fig. 61I) with the anterior section much shorter than the posterior section. The tooth is serrated with 15–18 minute denticles arranged in two or three rows. Small rounded terminating cusp present. Barb well marked. Blade rounded, indistinct, covering most of the anterior section of the tooth. Strong basal spur on top of the rounded base. Prior to radular examination, this species was considered a member of Profundiconus (Tenorio & Castelin 2016). Upon radular examination, it was tentatively placed in the genus Embrikena (Tucker & Tenorio 2013). DNA studies clearly indicate that C. darkini belongs to the same clade as Conus (Kurodaconus) stupa Kuroda, 1956, which is its sister species in the phylogeny (Fig. 2), and the type species for the genus Kurodaconus. Conus (K.) darkini is an elusive species, and very few specimens have been sampled.