Speirazafra wakensis, Monsecour & Raines, 2024

Monsecour, Kevin & Raines, Bret K., 2024, New species and genus of Columbellidae (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea) from the Western Pacific, Zootaxa 5514 (4), pp. 353-367 : 362

Speirazafra wakensis sp. nov.

Figures 4 A–H

Type Material. Holotype LACM 2722 , 5 Paratypes LACM 2723 , 5 Paratypes MNHN-IM-2018-1782 , 5 Paratypes CKM, 4 Paratypes MSF fa181 .

Additional Material Examined. 12 specimens northwest side Wilkes Island, 25–35 m deep.

Type Locality. Wake Atoll , off west side of Wilkes Island, 19.2921 o N, 166.6084 o E, 30–35 m deep.

Distribution. Only known from Wake Atoll, around Wilkes Island at depths of 25–35 m deep.

Description. Shell of moderate size, up to 3.9 mm; biconical, elongate. Protoconch paucispiral, of 1.8–2.0 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch clearly visible. Teleoconch of 3.1–3.3 flattened whorls; suture slightly impressed. Axial sculpture of only 13–15 weak ribs. Spiral sculpture consisting of 4 clear cords on early whorls, and 9–10 cords on last whorl, cords slightly wider than interspaces. Cords on last whorl extend into basal cords, which are narrowly spaced and reach mid-apertural height. Aperture narrow and elongate, 42–45% of shell height. Outer lip not thickened, bearing continuations of spiral cords. Inside with clear sinus on adapical end and 5 denticles, abapically weaker. Columellar callus absent, not denticulate. Parietal callus weak. Siphonal canal very short, half-open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls off-white teleoconch whorls, with faint brown axial lines. Protoconch cream, with axial lines near teleoconch transition. Aperture off-white. Radula not studied. Height of holotype: 3.6 mm.

Remarks. Paratypes show several different color and pattern variations. One shows a pattern of fewer, but much wider irregular axial brown lines on teleoconch and white protoconch (figs 4 C–D). Another morph is completely white with cream spiral lines between the ribs (figs 4 E–F). And finally there is one, which is completely yellow-orange without pattern (figs 4 G–H). Speirazafra wakensis stands out from all other known columbellid species by its small size combined with narrow aperture and clear spiral sculpture.

Etymology. Latin adjective formed from the type locality, Wake atoll.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A–H, Speirazafra wakensis sp. nov.; A–B, Holotype. LACM 2722, 3.6 mm; C–D, Paratype 1. LACM 2723, 3.5 mm; E–F, Paratype 2. MNHN-IM-2018-1782, 3.2 mm; G–H, Paratype 3. CKM, 3.7 mm; I–L, Zafra fijiensis sp. nov.; I–J, Holotype. LACM 3851, 3.0 mm; K–L, Paratype 1. LACM 3852, 3.1 mm; M–N, Zafra obesula (Hervier, 1900), French Polynesia, Raiatea, Hotopu’u, CKM, 3.8 mm.