Sassia apenninica (Sassi, 1827)

(Figs 39–40, 45)

1827 Triton apenninicum – SASSI, p. 480.

1956 Charonia (Sassia) apenninica Sassi – CSEPREGHY-MEZNERICS, p. 397, pl. 4, figs 13–14.

2013 Sassia apenninica (Sassi) – LANDAU et al., p. 130, pl. 19, fig. 4.

Material – Ten specimens (SL 13–29); HNHM: M.62.831–834., INV 2017.680. (3), three specimens in private collections .

Description – Fusiform shell, elevated spire, carinate teleoconch whorls, steep sutural ramp, rounded last whorl. Ovate aperture, denticulate outer lip thickened by labral varix, long, narrow, recurved siphonal canal, plicate columella. Spiral sculpture of strong primary and narrow secondary cords, axial sculpture of riblets, one varix per whorl.

Remarks – The taxonomy and the morphological variability of S. apenninica were discussed in detail by LANDAU et al. (2004). As the species is typical of the deeper-water deposits, it is rare in the shallow-water marly sand dominated Letkés section.

Distribution – Aquitanian-Langhian: NEA (France), Burdigalian: PMS (Italy), Badenian: CP (Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania), Serravallian: PMS (Turkey), Tortonian: PMS (Italy). For Pliocene range see LANDAU et al. (2013).