Leucosyrinx zahariasi sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 7F740E0D-2145-4B33-90F7-0EACE0F6C8E2

Figs 15C, 16

Etymology

The species is named after Paul Zaharias from MNHN, taxonomist and molecular biologist specializing on the studies of Conoidea and a member of the ERC HYPERDIVERSE team, for his contribution to the knowledge of the group.

Material examined

Holotype (sequenced) NEW CALEDONIA • off Ile des Pins; 22°48′ S, 167°15′ E; depth 440–470 m; TERRASSES, stn CP3115; MNHN-IM-2009-6979.

Other material (all sequenced)

NEW CALEDONIA • 2 lv; off Ile des Pins; 22°51′ S, 167°15′ E; depth 500 m; TERRASSES, stn 3118; MNHN-IM-2009-6873, MNHN-IM-2009-6981 • 2 lv; SW of Ile des Pins; 22°45′ S, 167°13′ E; depth 400–405 m; KANACONO, stn DW4660; MNHN-IM-2013-68027, MNHN-IM-2013-68315 • 3 lv; SW of Ile des Pins; 22°53′ S, 167°17′ E; depth 530–545 m; KANACONO, stn DW4666; MNHN-IM-2013-68072, MNHN-IM-2013-68623, MNHN-IM-2013-68624 • 3 lv; SW of Ile des Pins; 22°49′ S, 167°15′ E; depth 445 m; KANACONO, stn DW4669; MNHN-IM-2013-69084, MNHN-IM-2013-69085, MNHN-IM-2013-69116 .

Description

MEASUREMENTS (holotype). SL 31.3 mm, AL (with canal) 15.9 mm, AL (without canal) 11.0 mm, SW 10.4 mm.

SHELL (holotype). Shell medium-sized, medium broad fusiform, with medium high spire, very light tan in color, thin and fragile. Protoconch is partially broken, intact one in other specimens of 1.75 smooth and glossy strongly convex whorls. Protoconch–teleoconch transition marked by appearance of definitive sculpture. 8.5 teleoconch whorls, upper whorls distinctly roundly angled at shoulder, less angled on last whorl. Subsutural ramp strongly concave on upper whorls and nearly flat on last whorl. Deep, narrowly channeled suture. Strong, opisthocline narrow, closely spaced, and rounded axial folds on shoulder of upper teleoconch whorls, fading on penultimate whorl and absent on last one. Folds fade on subsutural ramp, reach lower suture on upper telecoconch whorls, increase in number from 12 on first teleoconch whorl to 26 on antepenultimate one. On body whorl shoulder is accentuated by obtuse low keel. Medium strong spiral sculpture of low, rounded, wavy, and narrow cords over entire shell. Cords on subsutural ramp feeble, below shoulder distinct, on shell base and canal intervals between cords equal or slightly narrower cords’ width. Numerous thin, prominent on subsutural ramp growth lines, on last whorl some growth lines on subsutural ramp distinctly thickened. Shell base lightly convex, passes smoothly into long and straight canal. Narrow, elongate-oval aperture, poorly differentiated from canal, inner lip slightly concave, nearly straight. Columellar and parietal sides with narrow, distinct callus, slightly lighter than remaining last whorl. Deep, subsutural, broadly arcuate anal sinus extends across subsutural ramp, confluent with large forward extension of outer lip.

RADULA (Fig. 15C; studied in MNHN-IM-2013-69116). Marginal teeth duplex, ~180 µm in length (4.1% AL without canal). Major limb lanceolate in dorsal view, curved. Accessory limb relatively broad, at tooth base equals total tooth width, ~0.8of total tooth length, inserted into distinct although shallow socket on dorsal side of major limb.

DNA diagnosis (based on 12 cox 1 sequences)

‘G’ in site 355, ‘C’ in site 568, ‘C’ in site 589, ‘C’ in site 607.

Remarks

The species is relatively stable in shell characters with clear tendency of reduction and complete disappearance of the axial folds on last whorls in larger specimens. The largest available specimen measures SL 38.3 mm.

It is somewhat similar in shell outline, but phylogenetically not closely related, to Leucosyrinx margaritae, differing in much closer spaced, more narrow and numerous axial folds and a smaller shell.

Distribution

Southern New Caledonia off Ile des Pins, 440– 530 m.