Asperdaphne paramoretonica sp. nov.

(Figure 1A)

Types

Holotype: SCS: 1 spec, CN L72B-39, 20°45 ′ N, 111°00 ′ E, silty mud, 32 m, BT, 26 April 1959. Paratypes: SCS: 1 spec, CN S237B-6, 23°24 ′ N, 117°00 ′ E, silty mud, 14 m, AT, 24 April 1960; 1 spec, CN IV220-B, 18°15 ′ N, 108°45 ′ E, coarse sand and shell debris, 38 m, AT, 16 May 1960.

Description

Shell fusiform, 14.6 × 5.2 mm, with large, wide, long aperture, siphonal canal long, gradually tapering, end broad, truncate, expanded. Outer lip slightly thickened; anal sinus shallow, presenting converse L. Whorls convex, especially the body whorl, weakly bicarinate. Overall sculpture cancellate, with subequal spiral and axial ridges, forming nodules where they cross. Spiral ridges three on first teleoconch whorl, about nine on penultimate whorl, 30 on base of last whorl. Axial ribs almost straight below suture, suture to suture, about 26 on penultimate whorl. Uniform orange brown. Protoconch damaged.

Etymology

“par”, Greek, para - = close to, similar to, resembling. The specific name implies the similarity of the new species with Asperdaphne moretonica Smith, 1882 .

Distribution

Only known from the type locality SCS, China .

Remarks

The new species is very close to Asperdaphne moretonica Smith, 1882, but differs from it with its less coarse, less nodular shell sculpture.