Gonimyrtea fidelis n. sp.

(Figs 12 C-F; 13B)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: 1 LV, L 10.1 mm, H 10.4 mm, T 3.7 mm, (MNHN).

Paratype: from type locality, 1 RV, L 8.3 mm, H 8.2 mm, T 2.5 mm (MNHN) .

TYPE LOCALITY. — Loyalty Islands, MUSORSTOM 60, stn DW 441, 20°54’S, 167°17’E, 80 m.

ETYMOLOGY. — Latin fidelis, “to have faith in”, a reference to the type locality of Loyalty Ridge.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Koumac. 2 stn, 10-60 m, 5 v.

Lifou. 4 stn, 10-120 m, 5 v.

DESCRIPTION

Shells small,H to 10.4mm,L to 10.1 mm, subcircular, inflated (T/L 0.37), umbones prominent, central. Sculpture of closely spaced,low, regular,commarginal lamellae.Lunule lanceolate, slightly impressed. Ligament short, shallowly inset. Hinge: RV with two cardinal teeth, the posterior large and triangular, the anterior a small narrow ridge; anterior lateral tooth present but indistinct. LV with two cardinal teeth, the anterior larger, posterior a narrow ridge; small anterior lateral socket. Anterior adductor scar short, detached from pallial line for 1/4 of length. Traces of adductor scars marked by radial ridges on interior of shell. Posterior scar ovate. Pallial line faint, entire. Shell edge smooth but with marginal groove.