Conus gubernator Hwass

Franklin, J. Benjamin, Subramanian, K. A., Fernando, S. Antony & Krishnan, K. S., 2009, 2250, Zootaxa 2250, pp. 1-63 : 31

26. Conus gubernator Hwass in Bruguière, 1792 (Figure 27)

Conus gubernator Hwass in Bruguière, 1792: 727–728, no. 121 (lectotype, MHNG (76 x 34 mm) (Kohn 1968); "Ocean asiatique").

Conus terminus Lamarck, 1810: 426 , no. 141 (representation of holotype, Kiener 1845: pl. 48, fig. 1d (83 x 32 mm) ( Röckel et al. 1995); "Ocean asiatique").

Conus leehmani Röckel & da Motta, 1979: 17–18 (holotype, MHNG (65.5 x 34 mm) ( Röckel et al. 1995); " Maldive Is., Indian Ocean").

Conus veillardi da Motta, 1990: 44–46 (holotype, MHNG (52.5 x 25.5 mm) ( Röckel et al. 1995); "Glorieuses Islands, 11.30 S 47.20 E, western Indian Ocean").

Material examined: MBMCS 126 , 1 specimen, SL 43 mm; SW 18 mm .

Description. Shell moderately large, solid to moderately heavy, glossy. Body whorl ventricosely conical; outline slightly convex adapically, straight below. Shoulder angulate. Spire of moderate height, bluntly pointed; outline slightly convex. Body whorl with several shallow spiral grooves on basal fourth to third, rest of the whorl smooth. Aperture uniformly wide, outer lip thin, sharp, straight.

Ground colour white suffused with light brown. Body whorl with separated blackish-brown axial markings; variable in shape and size, ranging from irregular flecks to large, zig-zag flames. Early spire whorls pinkish. Aperture white.

Distribution. Melvill & Standen (1898) first reported C. gubernator from the Indian Coast. Satyamurti (1952) reported it from Pamban. Kohn (1978) reported specimens of C. gubernator deposited in BMNH and NMW.

The specimen described herein was collected from the Pamban shore ( Table 6). The exact depth is not known.

Remarks. Conus gubernator appears to be a rare species along the TamilNadu Coast.