Belomitra challengeri (E. A. Smith, 1891 ) Kantor & Puillandre & Rivasseau & Bouchet, 2012

Kantor, Yuri I., Puillandre, Nicolas, Rivasseau, Audrey & Bouchet, Philippe, 2012, 3496, Zootaxa 3496, pp. 1-64 : 17

Belomitra challengeri (E. A. Smith, 1891) comb. nov.

Figures 4F–G

Pleurotoma (Drillia) challengeri E. A. Smith 1891: 438 , pl. 34, fig. 7.

Mangilia challengeri (E. A. Smith, 1891) — Hedley 1918: M84.

Awateria challengeri (E. A. Smith, 1891) — Hedley 1922: 322; Cotton 1947: 13.

Type material: 8 syntypes (all dd), NHMUK 1889.10.12.1–8 [examined] .

Type locality: Australia, New South Wales, off Sydney , 34°13'S, 151°38'E, 410 fms [750 m] [Challenger sta. 164B] .

Remarks: Smith's original illustration is rather small and sketchy, which made its allocation to Belomitra problematical. Examination of the actual syntypes, however, leaves no doubt about their generic position. The type locality and distribution of the species still needs confirmation. Smith (1891: 436) stated: “at this station 164B in addition to the new species described were a number of others, and among these several undoubtedly Atlantic forms”. Incorrect labeling of material from this station has been discussed in several publications (reviewed by Verhecken 1991) and it is not impossible that the original material originated from a Central Atlantic station or that it was mixed up with Australian material. Hedley (1918, 1922) confirmed the presence of the species off New South Wales, but did not illustrate his material. However, in our material from Brazil (MNHN) there are specimens of a Belomitra having a strong resemblance to syntypes of Pleurotoma challengeri . Therefore the question will remain open until new material matching the syntypes is taken from off New South Wales.