Dicharax magnificus (Godwin-Austen, 1914)

Fig. 40F–P

Alycaeus (Raptomphalus) magnificus Godwin-Austen, 1914: 366, pl. 156 figs 1, 1a–b.

Alycaeus (Raptomphalus) magnificus – Gude 1921: 288.

Chamalycaeus (Raptomphalus) magnificus – Ramakrishna et al. 2010: 69.

Metalycaeus (?) magnificus – Páll-Gergely et al. 2020: 146, fig. 31b.

Type material examined

INDIA • 1 syntype (Fig. 40F–J); Yamney Valley, Abor Hills; NHMUK 1903.7.1.3115 .

Additional material examined

INDIA • 1 shell (Fig. 40K–P); Arunachal Pradesh, 2 km from Kalek towards Rottung, base of the dry bamboo clumps, in semi-evergreen forest; 28°6.067′ N, 95°10.378′ E; 784 m a.s.l.; 24 April 2022; Aravind N.A. and Surya Narayanan leg.; NZSI LM1914 • 7 shells; same data as for preceding; ATREE .

Type locality

“Yamne valley, Abor Hills”.

Differential diagnosis

See under Dicharax duoculmen .

Remarks

Based on the spiral striae visible on the protoconch of the syntype, this species has been classified in Metalycaeus (see Páll-Gergely et al. 2020). Re-examination of that syntype revealed that those spiral striae are parts of lower shell layers; therefore, those are not homologous with those of species of Metalycaeus, which are raised striae. Furthermore, additional, fresh shells collected at Kalek-Rottung Road clearly lack spiral striation, showing that this is a species of Dicharax . Dicharax magnificus is the type species of Raptomphalus Godwin-Austen, 1914, and as a consequence, that taxon is a synonym of Dicharax (instead of Metalycaeus).