Episiphon kantori, Scarabino & Scarabino, 2010

Scarabino, Victor & Scarabino, Fabrizio, 2010, A new genus and thirteen new species of Scaphopoda (Mollusca) from the tropical Pacific Ocean, Zoosystema 32 (3), pp. 409-423 : 414-416

Episiphon kantori n. sp.

( Fig. 2 D-J)

TYPE MATERIAL. — Solomon Islands. SALOMON 2, stn CP 2189, 08°20’S, 160°02’E, 660-854 m, 1 lv holotype ( MNHN 22782 ) ; 3 lv paratypes ( MNHN 22783 ) .

TYPE LOCALITY. — Solomon Islands, 8°20’S, 160°02’E, 660-854 m (SALOMON 2, stn CP 2189).

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ETYMOLOGY. — Named after Yuri Kantor (Institute of Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow), in recognition for his advice on radulae processing and friendly interactions during his visits to MNHN.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Solomon Islands. SALOMON 1, stn CP 1857, 09°40’S, 160°49’E, 720- 849 m, 16 lv, 28 dd.

SALOMON 2, stn CP 2176, 9°10’S, 158°59’E, 579- 875 m, 1 lv, 5 dd. — Stn CP 2179, 08°49’S, 159°43’E, 765-773 m, 25 lv, 31 dd. — Stn CP 2180, 08°48’S, 159°41’E, 708-828 m, 3 lv, 5 dd. — Stn CP 2182, 08°47’S, 157°38’E, 762-1060 m, 8 lv, 48 dd. — Stn CP 2186, 08°17’S, 160°00’E, 487-541 m, 2 lv, 2 dd. — Stn CP 2189, 08°20’S, 160°02’E, 660-854 m, 41 lv, 38 dd. — Stn CP 2193, 08°24’S, 159°27’E, 362-432 m, 6 dd. — Stn CP 2205, 07°43’S, 158°29’E, 391- 263 m, 1 dd. — Stn CP 2214, 07°42’S, 157°44’E, 550-682 m, 1 lv, 2 dd. — Stn CP 2217, 07°49’S, 157°41’E, 1045- 1118 m, 3 dd. — Stn CP 2226, 06°39’S, 156°14’E, 490-520 m, 6 lv, 12 dd. —Stn CP 2241, 06°55’S, 156°21’E, 815-1000 m, 43 lv, 46 dd. — Stn CP 2248, 07°43’S, 156°25’E, 650-673 m, 15 lv, 3 dd. — Stn CP 2268, 07°49’S, 156°53’E, 632-640 m, 1 dd.

DISTRIBUTION. — Solomon Islands. Live at 487-815 m (richest range 650-815 m), shells at 362-1045 m.

DESCRIPTION

Shell 8.5 mm long, thread-like outline, regularly curved, slowly tapering, translucent grey.Longitudinally sculptured with 70 striae.Shell section circular. Apex simple with notable protruding callus, lumen small, circular, central. Anterior aperture straight. Microsurface barely granulose. Radula: rachidian tooth with three central projections on the internal face and anterior border curved, smooth.Lateral teeth with pronounced head with an elevated posterior angle, a strong and pointed primary cusp and a secondary denticle at the external border. Marginal teeth noticeably angled with respect to the border adjacent to the laterals.

Measurements of holotype: L 8.5, W 0.66, w 0.52, arc 0.45 at 3.6 from apex.

REMARKS

Episiphon kantori n. sp. is most similar to Episiphon wallisi n. sp., described below. The present species is longer and less translucent, the apical callus protrudes and is more densely striated. Episiphon wallisi n. sp. has the apical callus flat, only 24 striae and the arc located at the centre of the shell, while in E. joanae n. sp. (below) it is closer to the posterior end.

Figures

FIG. 2. — A-C, Episiphon virginieae Scarabino, 1995, holotype (9 mm), New Caledonia, Loyalty Islands, 20°42’S, 167°00’E, 282 m (MUSORSTOM 6, stn DW 399); A, lateral view of shell; B, dorsal view of shell; C, detail of sculpture; D, E, Episiphon kantori n. sp. holotype (8.05 mm), Solomon Islands, 8°20’S, 160°02’E, 660-854 m (SALOMON 2, stn CP 2189); D, lateral view of shell; E, dorsal view of shell; F-H, Episiphon kantori n. sp., shell details; F, dorso-frontal view of apical area; G, sculpture at the posterior third of shell; H, microsculpture at the same area; I, J, Episiphon kantori n. sp., radula; I, detail of rachidian and lateral teeth; J, internal view of two marginal teeth. Scale bars: 100 μm.