Bouchetaria, Castelin & Lorenz, 2024

Castelin, Magalie & Lorenz, Felix, 2024, Bouchetaria (Gastropoda: Cypraeidae), a new genus for the Riddle cowry, B. aenigma (Lorenz 2002), from the deep waters of the Mozambique Channel, Zootaxa 5433 (3), pp. 404-418 : 410-411

Genus Bouchetaria n. gen.

Type species: Nesiocypraea aenigma Lorenz 2002 , by original designation herein.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7143548D-FD1F-486A-BEC8-685140F6C0E8

Diagnosis. Shell size moderate for family, solid, with pointed, projecting spire, multispiral protoconch.Anterior and posterior extremities produced, bordered by prominent, smooth marginal flanges on either side. Fossula denticulate. Teeth numerous (~ from 26 to 36), dense, extending onto labrum and towards base. Calluses white, three indistinct darker dorsal zones. Darker pattern reduced to absent.

Type material. Holotype: 34.6 × 21 × 19 (26:33) Northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. South Africa. Coll. Natal Museum NM-V7041, studied and measured by the second author in 1988, courtesy WILLIAM R. LILTVED.

Paratype: 34.1 × 20.7 × 18.9 (28:28) Mozambique. Originally coll. LOUIS CORFDIR , current whereabouts unknown, studied from a photo; measurements recorded by JO VAN HEESVELDE.

Other studied material: One living individual: 27.7 × 18.1 × 13.7 (31:31) [2.64], Glorioso Islands, 11°30’S 47°28’E, 219-224 m, Stn DW 4808. Coll. MNHN IM-2013-69876 . (16S BOLD: LITOR370-24 ). ( Figure 3 a https:// science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/im/item/2013-69876) .

One living individual: 32.9 × 20.6 × 16.1 (30:34) [4.33], Glorioso Islands, 11°30’S 47°29’E, 293-301 m, Stn DW 4809. Coll. MNHN IM-2013-69877 . (16S BOLD: LITOR371-24 ). ( Figure 3 b , https://science.mnhn.fr/ institution/mnhn/collection/im/item/2013-69877) .

One living individual: 30.2 × 18.6 × 14.6 (33:36) [2.99], Glorioso Islands, 11°30’S 47°29’E, 293-301 m, Stn DW 4809. Coll. MNHN IM-2013-69878 . (16S BOLD: LITOR372-24 ). ( Figure 3 c , https://science.mnhn.fr/ institution/mnhn/collection/im/item/2013-69878) .

One freshly dead individual: 29.4 × 18.7 × 14.5 (28:31) [2.85], Glorioso Islands, 11°30’S 47°29’E, 293-301 m, Stn DW 4809. Coll. MNHN IM-2013-69875 . ( Figure 3 d , https://science.mnhn.fr/institution/mnhn/collection/im/ item/2013-69875) .

One dead collected eroded individual: 35.7 × 21.6 × 17.5 (34:36), Geyser Bank between Mayotte and the Glorioso Islands, 12°22’S 46°25’E, 340-342 m, Stn DW 4789. Coll. MNHN .

Formula: 32 (62 - 51 - 82) 27: 30 [12.8]

Distribution. The range of the species is extended from the northern coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, to the Mozambique Channel between the northern tip of Madagascar and the Glorioso Islands. Consistent with its multispiral protoconch, it is likely that Bouchetaria aenigma has a fairly wide range in the unexplored deep waters along the coast of southeast Africa. It seems restricted to the aphotic zone at 200 m and deeper. Three living individuals were found at 219- 342 m.

Etymology. The genus name is dedicated in honor of Philippe Bouchet. The choice of ending -aria, which makes the name feminine, is linked to the fact that cowries shells are often viewed as symbols of femininity, fertility, and birth.

Included species. Bouchetaria aenigma is the only known species assigned to the new genus.

Figures

FIGURE 3. a–d. Bouchetaria aenigma (28-33 mm) Glorieuses Islands, at 220–300 m. Coll. MNHN. e. Bouchetaria aenigma (36 mm) Geyser Bank, between Mayotte and the Glorieuses Islands, at 340 m. Coll. MNHN.