Lautoconus magnolapugyensis (Sacco, 1893)

Figs 17 A, 18A1–A3, 18B1–B3, 18C1–C2

Conus (Chelyconus) ventricosus Bronn—Hoernes & Auinger 1879: 49, pl. 1, figs 6–7, pl. 6, fig. 5 (same specimen as pl. 1 fig. 7) [non Lautoconus ventricosus (Gmelin, 1791)].

[ Conus] C. [helyconus] tauroventricosus ? var. magnolapugyensis Sacc. — Sacco 1893b: 108 (nov. nom. pro Conus ventricosus in Hoernes & Auinger 1879, pl. 6, fig. 5).

Type material. Holotype NHMW 2016 /0001/0001, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania), illustrated in Hoernes & Auinger (1879, pl. 6, fig. 5).

Studied material. Holotype and 1 spec. NHMW 2016/0001/0002, illustrated in Hoernes & Auinger (1879, pl. 1, fig. 6), 1 spec. NHMW 1870 /0033/0002, all Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania); middle Miocene, Badenian ( Langhian).

Illustrated material. Figs 18A 1 –A3: Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania): SL: 65.5 mm, MD: 45.1 mm, NHMW 2016/ 0001/0002, illustrated in Hoernes & Auinger (1879, pl. 1, fig. 7); Figs 18 B1–B3: holotype, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania): SL: 68.2 mm, MD: 44.0 mm, NHMW 2016/0001/0001, illustrated in Hoernes & Auinger (1879, pl. 1, fig. 6); Figs 18 C1–C2, 17A: Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania), SL: 59.3, MD: 38.4 mm, NHMW 1870/0033/0002.

Revised description. Moderately large, solid shells with low spire and stout, ventricose, quickly contracting last whorl. Early spire whorls eroded in all specimens; later spire whorls concave with bulgy abapical convexity, faintly striate; suture narrow, shallow. Subsutural flexure deep, strongly curved, moderately asymmetrical. Last whorl with prominent, rounded shoulder; position of maximum diameter slightly below; weakly constricted at base. Faint spiral sculpture on base. Siphonal fasciole narrow, slightly swollen, twisted; siphonal canal short and wide. Aperture moderately wide, broadening towards siphonal canal. Colour pattern consisting of strong flammulae on spire whorls and shoulder and densely spaced delicate spirally arranged dashes on last whorl.

Shell measurements and ratios. Only three specimens are available: SL: 68.2/65.5/ 59.3 mm, MD: 44.0/45.1/ 38.4 mm, spire angle: 132/141/130°, last whorl angle: 42/45/44°, LW: 1.55/1.45/1.54, RD: 0.71/0.74/0.77, PMD: 0.86/0.87/0.97, RSH: 0.10/0.07/0.16.

Discussion. This species is characterised by its stout ventricose outline and dense colour pattern and cannot be confused with any other Paratethyan species. Sacco (1893b) introduced this taxon with a question mark as variety of Conus tauroventricosus Sacco, 1893 from the Burdigalian of the Turin Hills. Hall (1966) treated this species and the varietal name magnolapugyensis as synonym of Lautoconus bitorosus (Fontannes, 1880) . Conus tauroventricosus, which is most probably unrelated to L. bitorosus, differs from the Paratethyan species in its figshaped outline and more rounded shoulder. Lautoconus bitorosus is similar concerning its ventricose last whorl but has a higher spire and the last whorl is more cylindrical-conical (see Muñiz-Solís 1999).

Paleoenvironment. The sandy sediment preserved in the shells suggests a shallow marine environment.

Distribution in Paratethys. Badenian (middle Miocene): Transylvanian Basin: Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). The record from the Burdigalian of the Turin Hills mentioned by Sacco (1893b) needs confirmation.