Aclis cf. pulchra Souza, Araújo & Pimenta (present study)

Fig. 9

Material examined. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro state: HAB 13 sta. H3; MNRJ 16811 [1†]; HAB 16 sta. H3; MNRJ 34072 [2†].

Characterization. Shell tall, conical, spire angle 15°, reaching 3.0 mm long, 1.0 mm wide, eight whorls, colorless. Protoconch subcylindrical, dome-shaped, about 2.0 whorls, 320 μm high, surface smooth. Teleoconch with strongly convex whorls, surface glossy presenting faint microscopical spiral striae and strong incremental scars with irregular intervals. Body whorl about 40% of the total length, base rounded; aperture high, about 67% of body whorl length, strongly expanded laterally, rounded anteriorly, acute posteriorly; outer lip thin, strongly orthocline, sinuous, moderately advanced close to distal area; inner lip thin, reflected. Wide umbilicus present, bordered by a rounded edge.

Measurements. MNRJ 34072: 6 whorls; SL= 3.0 mm; BWL= 1.2 mm; AL= 0.8 mm; SW= 1.0 mm; AW= 0.6 mm.

Geographic Distribution. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro. From 71 m to 73 m.

Remarks. These shells (Fig. 9) are similar to A. pulchra sp. nov (Figs 7, 8) described herein in relation to shell shape, dimensions of the protoconch and convexity of teleoconch whorls. However, shells with this tentative identification (‘cf.’) reach a higher number of whorls, has a more regular increase in diameter, which results in a more turriform shape, besides a less advanced outer lip, a slightly smaller aperture compared to the total length (0.25 vs. 0.30) and a slightly narrower umbilicus. We avoid describing these specimens as a new species due to the scarcity of studied material that hampers a proper comparison of shape variability with A. pulchra sp. nov.