Mirapecten mirificus (Reeve, 1853)

(Fig. 5G, H)

Pecten mirificus Reeve, 1853: sp. 104, pl. 26, fig. 104.

Mirapecten mirificus – Kay 1979: 526, figs 158B, 169A, B [description] — Dijkstra 1991: 48 [synonymy, references, distribution]; 1998: 23, pl. 3, figs 4-6 [type data, distribution].

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Indonesia. Ambon, holotype spm (BMNH 1950.11.14.46).

Récif Neilson. BENTHAUS, stn CP 1918, 27°03’S, 146°04’W, 130-140 m, 1 spm, 1 rv.

Banc Président Thiers. BENTHAUS, stn DW 1926, 24°38’S, 146°01’W, 50-90 m, 1 spm. — Stn DW 1932, 24°41’S, 146°02’W, 500-800 m, 2 lv, 3 rv. — Stn DW 1933, 24°41’S, 146°01’W, 500-850 m, 1 lv. — Stn DW 1936, 24°40’S, 145°57’W, 80-100 m, 1 rv. — Stn DW 1937, 24°40’S, 145°56’W, 469-500 m, 2 fragments, 1 lv.

Banc Lotus. BENTHAUS, stn DW 1947, 23°49’S, 147°54’W, 120-150 m, 1 spm.

Tubuai. BENTHAUS, stn DW 1958, 23°20’S, 149°30’W, 80-150 m, 5 spms, 5 lv, 7 rv. — Stn DW 1959, 23°20’S, 149°30’W, 95-380 m, 1 rv. — Stn DW 1960, 23°20’S, 149°31’W, 230-262 m, 1 spm, 1 lv, 1 rv.

Banc Arago. BENTHAUS, stn DW 1968, 23°23’S, 150°44’W, 100-120 m, 1 spm.

Rurutu. BENTHAUS, stn DW 1999, 22°25’S, 151°22’W, 270-500 m, 1 lv.

DISTRIBUTION. — Southern Japan, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Coral Sea, New Caledonia, Fiji and Hawaiian Islands (MNHN, coll. HD, unpubl. data). Depth range 37-183 m (alive) (coll. HD, unpubl. data). Now also Austral Islands (new record), alive at 50-230 m depth.

REMARKS

The present specimens are similar to the holotype from the Moluccas, although the radial lirae are slightly weaker and the colour more creamy. However, examined material from the southwestern Pacific is rather variable in sculpture and colour and the specimens from the Austral Islands fall within this variation range.