Liralucina lifouina n. sp.

(Figs 26C; 28)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype: 1 sh, L 7.4 mm, H 6.6 mm T (2v) 5.0 mm (MNHN).

Paratypes: Loyalty Islands, Baie du Santal, stn 1450, 20°45.8’S, 167°01.65’E, 27-31 m 12 v (MNHN). — Figured paratypes: from type locality, 1 RV, L 5.7 mm, H 4.4 mm (MNHN); 1 sh, L 3.7 mm, H 3.3 mm (BMNH 20050573); 1 RV L 5.2 mm, H 4.5 mm (BMNH 20050573); 1 LV, L 5.5, H 4.5 mm (BMNH 20050573); 1 sh, L 3.7 mm, H 3.1 mm (MNHN) .

TYPE LOCALITY. — Loyalty Islands, Baie du Santal, stn 1425, 20°46.8’S, 167° 07.2’E, 4-5m.

ETYMOLOGY. — Named for the island of Lifou

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Lifou. 13 stn, 2-30 m, 31 v, 9 live.

DISTRIBUTION. — Known only from the Loyalty Islands.

DESCRIPTION

Shell white, pink or orange, small, H to 6.9 mm, L to 7.2 mm, subovate, anteriorly extended longer than high (H/L 0.89), moderately inflated (T/L 0.34). Sculpture of numerous fine, radial ribs (about 35-40), rounded in profile, variable in thickness, occasionally dividing, very closely spaced and crossed by fine, regularly spaced commarginal threads. Radial ribs become indistinct in anterior and posterior. In juvenile shells radial ribs absent or faint (Fig. 28E). Protoconch large (150 µm); PI 100 µm, smooth and globose, PII with growth increments. Lunule large, heart-shaped, symmetrical. Ligament short, slightly inset. RV with single cardinal tooth, and prominent anterior lateral and posterior lateral teeth. LV with two small cardinal teeth, a long anterior lateral socket and a posterior tooth and socket. Anterior adductor scar short, detached from pallial line for about 1/5 of length. Posterior scar ovate. Pallial line continuous. Shell margin crenulate, crenulae absent along posterior margin (Fig. 28D).

REMARKS

See comparison with L. craticula n. sp. above.