Vaceuchelus gemmula ( Turton, 1932 )

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 : 36

Vaceuchelus gemmula ( Turton, 1932)

Fig. 14D–E

Euchelus gemmula Turton, 1932: 194 , pl. 49, no. 1347.

Type loc.: Port Alfred, E Cape, South Africa .

Vaceuchelus gemmula – Herbert 2012: 452 , figs 42–44; 2015: 34 (further references).

Material examined

WALTERS SHOAL – summit area • 1 empty shell; south-west, stn WS03; 33°12.2′ S, 43°50.8′ E; depth 40 m; 30 Apr. 2017; MNHN • 13 empty shells; south, stn WS06; 33°15.1′ S, 43°54.5′ E; depth 26 m; 1 May 2017; MNHN • 17 empty shells; south, stn WS07; 33°15.4′ S, 43°52.2′ E; depth 30–33 m; 2 May 2017; MNHN • 17 empty shells; south-east, stn WS08; 33°13.7′ S, 43°55.9′ E; depth 30–33 m; 3 May 2017; MNHN • 1 living specimen; south, stn WB05; 33°15.1′ S, 43°54.5′ E; depth 26–30 m; 1 May 2017; DNA tissue sample; MNHN IM-2013-67254 • 1 empty shell; south, stn WB05; 33°15.1′ S, 43°54.5′ E; depth 26–30 m; 1 May 2017; MNHN • 4 empty shells; north-west, stn WB09; 33°13.8′ S, 43°55.8′ E; depth 27–30 m; 4 May 2017; MNHN • 1 empty shell; north-west, stn WB10; 33°09.1′ S, 43°51.8′ E; depth 30 m; 6 May 2017; MNHN. – slopes • 1 empty shell; stn DW4885; 33°17′ S, 43°55′ E; depth 272–380 m; 3 May 2017; MNHN • 1 empty shell; stn DW4892; 33°12′ S, 44°01′ E; depth 624– 646 m; 4 May 2017; MNHN • 1 empty shell; stn CP4901; 33°09′ S, 44°01′ E; depth 647–672 m; 6 May 2017; MNHN .

Distribution

Eastern South Africa, here extended eastwards to Walters Shoal, where it has been collected primarily on the summit area by brushing and suction sampling at depths of 26–40 m (live-taken material 26–30 m); occasional dead specimens extending down to 647 m.

Remarks

Previously thought to be endemic to the eastern coast of South Africa, at latitudes between 31° S and 34° S, but specimens from Walters Shoal from 33° S are indistinguishable from South African ones. As in South Africa, the Walters Shoal material spans a considerable bathymetric range, living specimens having been collected in water as shallow as 26 m and dead shells at depths up to 647 m (to 500 m in South Africa).

Figures

Fig. 14. A–B. Calliotropis velata Vilvens, 2006, Walters Shoal, stn CP4911 (MNHN), scale bars =200 μm. A. Microsculpture, third whorl. B. Protoconch. C. Danilia textilis Herbert, 2012, Walters Shoal, stn DW4887, height 11.7 mm (MNHN-IM-2013-67256). D–E. Vaceuchelus gemmula (Turton, 1932), Walters Shoal, stnWB05, height 3.4 mm (MNHN-IM-2013-67254).F–H. Vetulonia parajeffreysi Absalão & Pimenta, 2005, Walters Shoal, stn CP4913, diameter 2.5 mm (MNHN). I. Vetulonia parajeffreysi, protoconch, Walters Shoal, stn CP4913, scale bar =100 μm (MNHN).