Granata cumingii (A. Adams, 1854) Herbert, 2012

Herbert, D. G., 2012, A revision of the Chilodontidae (Gastropoda: Vetigastropoda: Seguenzioidea) of southern Africa and the south-western Indian Ocean, African Invertebrates 53 (2), pp. 381-381 : 482-483

Granata cumingii (A. Adams, 1854) comb. n.

Figs 63–65

Stomatella cumingii: A.Adams 1854 a: 834 , pl. clxxv, fig. 38; idem 1854b: 74; Sowerby 1874: pl. v, fig. 32;

Pilsbry 1890 in 1890–91: 13, pl. 52, fig. 67. Type loc.: none originally given; here designated to be tropical East Africa.

Stomatia cumingii: Chenu 1959 in 1959–62: 364, fig. 2709.

This species is similar to Granata sulcifera (below) and does not warrant a full redescription. It differs most obviously in shape and colour, having a distinctly more elongate aperture (ratio of maximum:minimum aperture diameter 1.25–1.40 in G. cumingii compared with 1.04–1.16 in G. sulcifera ) and a more consistent colour pattern of reddish or reddish brown spots on a cream ground that remain distinct even on the last adult whorl. In addition, the sculpture of G. cumingii is somewhat coarser, the axial pliculae more crispate and regular, and the interstices more obviously iridescent. Although smaller, the three specimens listed below, are almost identical with the holotype and are undoubtedly conspecific therewith.

Besides mention in late nineteenth century iconographies ( Sowerby 1874; Pilsbry 1890 in 1890–91), this species seems not to have been discussed in the literature subsequent to its original description. No locality data accompanied the holotype and, until now, the provenance of the species has remained unknown. Granata lyrata (Pilsbry, 1890) , from Japan, which is also reportedly more strongly sculptured than G. sulcifera (Sasaki 2000) , as a less elongate aperture and has greyish rather than reddish maculations.

Microsculpture: Similar to that of G. sulcifera .

Protoconch: Missing in all available specimens.

Operculum: Oligospiral; like that of G. sulcifera .

Radula: Unknown.

External anatomy: Only one, badly contracted specimen available, but evidently similar to that of G. sulcifera .

Type material: Holotype of Stomatella cumingii A.Adams, 1854 , in NHMUK (1968201), maximum diameter 31.1 mm, height 19.8 mm ( Fig. 63 ); provenance unknown.

Other material examined: KENYA: Kikambala (3.828°S 39.829°E), B. Hooper, don. A.Jenner, iii.1972 ( NMSA F8740 ) . MOZAMBIQUE: Conducia Bay (14.9128°S 40.7178°E), living, on rock on muddy bottom above LST, K. Grosch, ix.1976 ( NMSA L1440 ) . MADAGASCAR: Secteur de Lavanono (25.48333°S 44.93167°E), - 14–18 m, tombant calcaire avec surplombs, Exped’n ATIMO VATAE, st’n BS04, 30.v.2010 ( MNHN) . Distribution and habitat ( Fig. 65 ): Known only from the tropical western Indian Ocean , from southern Kenya and northern Mozambique to southern Madagascar; has been found living intertidally, on a rock on a muddy substratum, near low water .

Figures

Fig. 63. Granata cumingii (A.Adams, 1854): holotype of Stomatella cumingii A.Adams, 1854, maximum diameter 31.1 mm (NHMUK 1968201).

Fig. 64. Granata cumingii (A.Adams, 1854): (A, B) Conducia Bay, northern Mozambique, maximum diameter 18.2 mm (NMSA L1440); (C, D) Kikambala, Kenya, maximum diameter 20.7 mm (NMSA F8740).

Fig.65. Distribution of Granata species in the south-western Indian Ocean. Granata cumingii (circles) and G. sulcifera (triangles). Each symbol represents one or more records.