Loxoconcha ex. gr. petasa ssp. 2

Fig. 30 e-k

Description. The outline of the carapace is slightly more compresed than L. petasa . The distinct irregular reticulation that is composed of meshes of different sizes is also present in this species, however in some cases, it is lacking in the posterior area of the valve. Instead, some high pronounced cone-shaped pores are randomly distributed along the posterior margin. Close to the posterodorsal-and posteroventral area two tubercles are displayed. They are covered by the primary broad-sized meshes and in some cases with another, finer appearing secondary ornamentation, especially visible in juvenile stages. Dimension: L = 0,45 – 0,69 mm, H = 0,27 – 0,40 mm, the minimum sizes include juveniles too.

Remarks. This subspecies shows strong similarties to Loxoconha monticola (Olteanu, 1989) that was described from the Dacian Basin. The presence of hollow tubercles that can be environmentally induced by salinity variations let us assume that this subspecies may very well be a morphotype of L. petasa .