Profundiconus loyaltiensis (R̂ckel & Moolenbeek, 1995)

Figs 2, 5G–M, 9

Conus loyaltiensis R̂ckel & Moolenbeek in R̂ckel et al., 1995a: 577, figs 1, 10–11, 55.

Profundiconus loyaltiensis – Tucker & Tenorio 2013: 261. — Monnier et al. 2018a: 132.

Material examined

10 lots (16 specimens). See Supp. file 1.

Type material

Holotype NEW CALEDONIA • 21.7 mm; Loyalty Ridge, Lifou, E of Cap de Pins, off New Caledonia, stn CP465; 21°04′ S, 167°32′ E; 480‒495 m depth; 21 Feb. 1989; MUSORSTOM 6 expedition; MNHN-IM-2000-2545 (Fig. 5G).

Figured material

NEW CALEDONIA • Paratype, 21 mm; Lifou, E of Cap de Pins, off New Caledonia, stn CP467; 21º06′ S, 167º32′ E; 530‒575 m depth; 21 Feb. 1989; MUSORSTOM 6 expedition; MNHN-IM-2000-2544 (Fig. 5H) • Paratype, 22.4 mm; same collection data as for preceding; MNHN-IM-2000-2544 (Fig. 5I, M) • Paratype, 23.1 mm; same collection data as for holotype; ZMUA (Fig. 5J) • 27.4 mm; Plateau des Chesterfield, off New Caledonia, stn DC357; 19º37′ S, 158º46′ E; 630 m depth; 18 Oct. 1986; MUSORSTOM 5 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 5K) • 18.3 mm; off New Caledonia, stn DW162; 18º35′ S, 163º10′ E; 525 m depth; 16 Sep. 1985; MUSORSTOM 4 expedition; MNHN (Fig. 5L) .

Geographical distribution and bathymetry

New Caledonia: Loyalty Islands, Grand Passage and Île des Pins, 300 to 600 m deep. Three dead (possibly subfossil; see Fig. 5K) specimens from the Chesterfield Islands, at depths of 570‒630 m, have only been tentatively identified as P. cf. loyaltiensis, but conspecificity is unclear. This species can be considered endemic.

Remarks

Shell small (maximum length 24.5 mm), biconic with a moderate spire of deeply concave outline. Protoconch white, porcellaneous, with 1.5 whorls (Fig. 5L). Radular tooth (Fig. 5M) rather large. Anterior portion of tooth much shorter than posterior section. Barb and pointed, well-defined blade approximately one half of apical portion of tooth. External cusp present, laterally widened and serrated, with 5–6 denticles. Characteristic fringe of closely spaced projections pointing towards the apex located immediately below waist. Shaft fold present. Large and prominent basal spur on top of slanted base of tooth. The name P. loyaltiensis applies in the strict sense to shells coming from the Loyalty Islands having a moderate, concave spire with strong cords on the sutural ramp. It is not clear if these are conspecific with the specimens from Île des Pins and the Grand Passage area, which normally exhibit shells with less developed cords, and are often confused with the white form of P. vaubani . Specimens of P. loyaltiensis from the type locality have not been examined using DNA. The sequenced specimens actually correspond to the population from Île des Pins, and these appear in a clade mixed with specimens assigned to P. vaubani and P. kanakinus (Fig. 2). This observation is consistent with the fact that the alleged population of P. loyaltiensis from Île des Pins and the white form of P. vaubani might represent the same species. Therefore, the distribution range of the true P. loyaltiensis is possibly restricted to Loyalty Ridge, but this hypothesis requires confirmation.