Myrtina leptolira n. sp.

(Figs 6C; 8)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: 1 RV, L 16.4 mm, H 14.8 mm, T 3.6 mm (MNHN).

Paratypes:from type locality, 1 LV, L 14 mm, H 13.8 mm; 1 LV, L 14.3 mm, H 12.6 mm; 1 LV, L 14.3 mm, H 12.7 mm; 1 LV (damaged), L 9.7 mm, H 8.7 mm (MNHN); 1 RV, L 15.6 mm, H 14.9 mm (BMNH 20050570).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Loyalty Islands, stn DW 442, 20°54’S, 167°17’E, 200 m.

ETYMOLOGY. — Latin lepto, thin, lira, ridge

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — New Caledonia. MUSORSTOM 4, stn DW 150, 19°07’S, 163°22’E, 110 m, 1 v.

Loyalty Islands. MUSORSTOM 6, stn 441, 20°54’S, 167°17’E, 80 m, 1 v. — Lifou, stn 1461, 20°54’S, 167°08’E, 100-120 m, 1 v.

DESCRIPTION

Small to medium sized,H to 14.9 mm, L to 16.5 mm, subcircular (H/L 0.90-0.99), posterior margin truncate. Sculpture of fine, closely spaced, regular, thin, commarginal lamellae with occasional radial threads. Lamellae more elevated in anterior and posterior dorsal areas.Antero-dorsal area demarcated by slight sulcus. Lunule long, lanceolate, smooth, slightly asymmetrical, slightly larger in left valve. Ligament long, external. Hinge plate narrow; right valve with single bifid cardinal tooth, a short anterior lateral tooth and posterior lateral absent; left valve with two cardinal teeth, the anterior larger, posterior thin; lateral teeth absent. Anterior adductor muscle scar long, detached from pallial line for 1/4 of length. Posterior adductor scar oval to reniform. Pallial line sometimes discontinuous.Shell interior glossy, radial threads within pallial line, tracks of adductor scars often white (Fig. 8G); shell margin smooth

REMARKS

Myrtina leptolira n. sp. differs from M. porcata n. sp. in the more closely spaced and lower commarginal lamellae that are less extended dorsally, and in the more circular shell outline.