Leptochiton vaubani Kaas, 1991

Leptochiton vaubani Kaas 1991: 13, figs 13–23; Kaas & Van Belle 1994: 13 –15, fig. 3, map 1; Sirenko 2001: 69; Schwabe 2008: 215; Sigwart et al. 2011: table 3, fig. 2; Yearsley & Sigwart 2011: table 1.

Material examined. Holotype (MNHN 6136). 8 specimens in 3 lots from Vanuatu, 13 specimens in 6 lots from the Solomon Islands.

Distribution. Widely distributed in the South Pacific and in a wide range of depths. Originally described from New Caledonia (720 m: Kaas 1991) and subsequently identified from other deeper specimens from New Caledonia (2100–2110 m: Sirenko 2001); now also known from Vanuatu (641–799 m), and equivocally the Solomon Islands (236–1118 m). Found living and feeding on sunken terrestrial plant remains.