Vatopsis, Grundel, 1980

Hansen, Thomas, 2019, Gastropods from the Cretaceous-Palaeogene boundary in Denmark, Zootaxa 4654 (1), pp. 1-196 : 122-123

Vatopsis sp.

Fig. 28W

Material. Specimen MGUH 33223 is an external mould of the teleoconch.

Occurrence. Lithified top of the Cretaceous Højerup Member at Stevns Klint.

Description. Shell moderately slender with strongly flattened and low whorls separated by narrow and indistinct suture located on periphery on preceding whorl. Whorl height corresponding to less than half the width. Peripheral transition to flat base sharp.

Teleoconch sculpture weakly reticulate with five spiral ribs crossed by between 30 and 34 prosocline and slightly prosocyrt transverse ribs with low tubercles at connecting nodes. Adapical two spiral ribs stronger and more widely spaced than succeeding three. An additional spiral rib accentuating transition to base visible on last whorl. Base carrying at least seven spiral ribs decreasing in strength adaxially.

Measurements. MGUH 33223 is a teleoconch lacking the apex and measuring 5.9 mm in height and 2.5 mm in width. It consists of just over six whorls.

Remarks. It closely resembles Vatopsis heinbergi n. sp. described above from the Cerithium Limestone Member , but differs by the distinct spiral sculpture on the base and by having five spiral ribs instead of four. Further material is needed before the taxonomic status of this taxon may be satisfactorily unravelled.

Figures

FIGURE 28. A. Thereitis carlsbergi n. sp., Protoconch of paratype MGUH 33205.Width of protoconch 0.4 mm. B–D. Thereitis cretacea n. sp. B. Holotype protoconch MGUH 33206. Width 0.4 mm. C. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33207. Width 0.9 mm. D. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33208. Width 1.1 mm. E. Thereitis sp., Silicone cast of MGUH 33209. Width 0.4 mm. F–I. Cerithiella moltkianum (Ravn, 1902). F–H. Silicone cast of MGUH 33210. Width of teleoconch 4.6 mm. Height of protoconch 1.0 mm. I. Silicone cast of MGUH 33211.Width 9.2 mm. J–O. Cerithiella selandica n. sp. J–K. Silicone cast of holotype MGUH 33212. Teleoconch width 2.6 mm. Preserved protoconch width 0.5 mm. L–M. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33213. Height 31 mm. N. Paratype protoconch MGUH 33214. Width 0.7 mm. O. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33215. Width 2.6 mm. P–Q. Cerithiella sp. P. Silicone cast of MGUH 33216. Width 6.7 mm. Q. Silicone cast of MGUH 33217. Width 5.1 mm. R. Eumetula sp., Silicone cast of MGUH 33218. Width 0.9 mm. S. Trituba obliquecostulata (Kaunhowen, 1898). Silicone cast of MGUH 33219. Width 1.2 mm. T–V. Vatopsis heinbergi n. sp. T. Silicone cast of holotype MGUH 33220. Width 1.2 mm. U. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33221. Width 3.1 mm. V. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33222. Width 4.0 mm. W. Vatopsis sp., Silicone cast of MGUH 33223. Width 2.5 mm. X–Y. Ageria skeldervigensis n. sp. X. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33224. Height 4.1 mm. Y. Silicone cast of paratype MGUH 33225. Width 7.4 mm.