Conus (Asprella) gigasulcatus Moolenbeek, R̂ckel & Bouchet, 2008

Figs 52I–K, 54

Conus gigasulcatus Moolenbeek et al., 2008: 43 .

Asprella gigasulcata – Tucker & Tenorio 2013: 206. — Monnier et al. 2018a: 614.

Material examined

5 lots (6 specimens). See Supp. file 1.

Type material

Holotype FIJI • 73.1 mm; south of Viti Levu; 18°12.4′ S, 178°33.0′ E; 144–150 m depth; MNHN-IM-2000-21041 (Fig. 52I).

Figured material

NEW CALEDONIA • 85.2 mm; SE Terrasses, off New Caledonia, stn CP3091; 22°17′ S, 167°09′ E; 260‒270 m depth; 25 Oct. 2008; TERRASSES expedition; MNHN (Fig. 52J) • 80.9 mm; off SE New Caledonia, stn CP852; 21º44′ S, 166º36′ E; 253‒266 m depth; 19 Mar. 1994; HALIPRO 1 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 52K) .

Geographical distribution and bathymetry

Fiji, at depths between 150‒260 m, Indonesia (Kei Islands, off Irian Jaya) in 82 m, Solomon Islands between 97 and 381 m, Vanuatu between 45 and 175 m, and New Caledonia (E coast)between 100‒ 300 m.

Remarks

Shell moderately large to large (maximum length 88 mm), broadly conical with a rather low, concave spire. Protoconch missing in all specimens examined. Radular morphology not known. Initially described from Fiji, this species has been subsequently reported from many other localities. One specimen from Vanuatu has been sequenced. In the phylogeny, it appears sister to the clade containing C. fijisulcatus and C. samiae .