Tropholampas loveni (Studer, 1880)

Fig. 54 A–C.

Tropholampas loveni: H.L. Clark, 1923 *: 395–397; Mortensen, 1948d: 342 –343. Pl. I, Figs 15–21. Pl. XII, Figs 2–4, 11; Clark & Courtman-Stock, 1976: 245; Schultz, 2009: 531, Figs 894–899.

Material examined. A23325; A 6431.

Identification. Test fragile, small, aborally raised. Apical disc with single genial plate (monobasal) in males, four gonopores; in females evolved to a brooding structure. Peristome sub-central, no bourrelets. Ambulacra simple, non-petaloid arrangement, pores small orally, none aboral. Primary tubercles slightly perforated, crenulated. Spines short, uniform, densely covering marsupium. Test and spines white.

Global maximum size. Maximum test length 8 mm.

Global distribution. Endemic to West and South coasts of South Africa; at 135–350 m depth (Mortensen 1948d; Clark & Courtman-Stock 1976; Schultz 2009).

Remarks. This deep-water species displays sexual dimorphism, where females have evolved a deep and elongated apical disc to brood the young; males having a monobasal apical disc.