Benthobrookula semisculpta, Herbert, 2024

Herbert, David G., 2024, The Vetigastropoda (Mollusca) of Walters Shoal, with descriptions of two new genera and thirty new species, European Journal of Taxonomy 923, pp. 1-119 : 61-62

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5852/ejt.2024.923.2445

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:AD68CEDD-2F2D-4010-BE7A-1B1AE9E4A0F3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10818390

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/4FA6CCE8-FA2E-4B11-BCAF-F37EDC68D677

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:4FA6CCE8-FA2E-4B11-BCAF-F37EDC68D677

treatment provided by

Plazi

scientific name

Benthobrookula semisculpta
status

sp. nov.

Benthobrookula semisculpta View in CoL sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4FA6CCE8-FA2E-4B11-BCAF-F37EDC68D677

Figs 24M–O View Fig , 25E View Fig

Diagnosis

Shell relatively thick, turbiniform, H/D=0.81–0.93, whorls strongly rounded and suture deeply indented, base umbilicate; first two teleoconch whorls with 24–27 curved axial ribs, their intervals with fine, close-set, spiral threads; sculpture evanescing during first half of third whorl, but traces of spiral threads may remain; base smooth, with only traces of microscopic growth-lines; umbilicus relatively wide with rounded margin, its interior with indistinct spiral lirae; peristome complete; protoconch globose and exsert.

Etymology

From the Latin “ semis ” – “half” and “ sculptus ” – “carved”; in reference to the sculptured spire whorls and smooth final whorl.

Material examined

Holotype

WALTERS SHOAL • empty shell; slopes, stn CP4906; 33°26′ S, 44°00′ E; depth 799–837 m; 9 May 2017; MNHN-IM-2000-38088 .

GoogleMaps

Paratypes

WALTERS SHOAL – slopes • 1 empty shell; stn DW4898; 33°09′ S, 44°01′ E; depth 652–668 m; 6 May 2017; MNHN-IM-2000-38089 4 empty shells; stn CP4911; 32°46′ S, 44°18′ E; depth 964–965 m; 10 May 2017; MNHN-IM-2000-38090 . GoogleMaps

GoogleMaps

Description

SHELL. Very small (height up to 1.35 mm), relatively thick, turbiniform; wider than high (H/D =0.81– 0.93); spire whorls strongly rounded and suture deeply indented; periphery evenly rounded, close to mid-whorl; base rounded and umbilicate; teleoconch of up to 2.75–3.0 whorls. First two teleoconch whorls with 24–27 curved axial ribs, progressively more widely spaced; ribs evanescing during first half of third whorl; intervals between ribs with fine, relatively close-set spiral threads on first two teleoconch whorls; threads buttressing ribs but seeming not to cross rib crests ( Fig. 25E View Fig ); additional weaker axial threads cross spiral threads in rib intervals, most noticeable toward whorl periphery (visible only under SEM); this microsculpture also evanescing on third whorl, but traces of spiral threads may remain; base evenly rounded, smooth, with only traces of microscopic growth-lines; umbilicus relatively wide, its margin rounded; interior of umbilicus with fine, indistinct spiral lirae and traces of axial ribs of spire whorls deep within. Aperture circular; peristome complete, its edge simple; upper part of outer lip gently convex; interior not nacreous.

PROTOCONCH ( Fig. 25E View Fig ). Globose and exsert; diameter ± 220 μm, ca 1.25 whorls; with fine anastomosing sculpture creating network of minute, irregularly-shaped pits; terminal lip prosocline, weakly convex, not thickened.

COLOUR. Uniformly white, somewhat glossy.

DIMENSIONS. Holotype, height 1.35 mm, diameter 1.45 mm (= largest specimen).

Distribution

Known only from the slopes of Walters Shoal, at depths of 668–964 m; dredged on coarse sandy substrata; living specimens unknown.

Remarks

I have chosen to refer this species to Benthobrookula on account of the coarse ribs and fine spiral threads on the spire whorls. However, within this genus Be. semisculpta sp. nov. is rendered distinctive on account of its evanescing sculpture on the latter half of the last adult whorl and the collabral curvature of the axial ribs on the spire whorls. Although some individuals of other species show reduced or obsolete axial sculpture prior to the outer lip, it is not as extensive as in the present species and the spiral sculpture remains distinct.

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Mollusca

Class

Gastropoda

SubClass

Vetigastropoda

Order

Seguenziida

SuperFamily

Seguenzioidea

Family

Unassigned

Genus

Benthobrookula

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