Nuculana (s.l.) anakena, Raines & Huber, 2012

Raines, Bret & Huber, Markus, 2012, 3217, Zootaxa 3217, pp. 1-106 : 10

Nuculana (s.l.) anakena sp. nov.

Figures 3 A–E

Type Material. Holotype: LACM 3148, 1 articulated specimen, 2.2 mm. Paratypes 1–3: LACM 3149, 3 single valves, 2.3–3.9 mm.

Type Locality. Along the base of cliffs in sand and rubble at 20 m off Punta Rosalia , east side of Anakena, Easter Island, 27 o 04’18” S, 109 o 19’45” W .

Description. A small, semi-translucent white Nuculana species , with raised subcentral umbones. Shell small (up to 4 mm in length), not very fragile, subtriangular, only slightly inflated, equivalve. Umbones raised, nearly centrally located. Prodissoconch, P1 round, smooth, boundary often weakly defined, ca. 247 µm length by 186 µm height, P2 not present. Anterior and posterior margins of adult valves subequal, with posterior margin shorter. Exterior surface smooth with commarginal growth lines, increasing in strength towards ventral margin. No posterior sulcus. Interior non-nacreous, lacks deep pallial sinus. Hinge line highly arched, consisting of split dentition with central resilifer; anterior with 7–9 teeth, posterior with 4–6 teeth. Color white.

Comparative diagnosis. A non-nacreous interior together with the shape excludes the genus Ennucula (= Leionucula auctt.). The shape, lack of a deep pallial sinus, and solid structure excludes the genera Yoldiella Verrill & Bush, 1897 , and Scissileda Kilburn, 1994 . The presence of a resilifer rules out all malletiids including Neilonella Dall, 1881 . The lack of a sulcus combined with a rather shallow depth rules out the genus Ledella Verrill & Bush, 1897 . The lack of a very thin hinge with few weak teeth and distinct shape exclude all Sareptidae Stoliczka, 1870 .

Remarks. Although the shape and weak commarginal sculpture do not match typical Jupiteria very well, the closest species appears to be Nuculana (Jupiteria) manawatawhia Powell, 1937 , from New Zealand. More and better material is needed to determine, if a new genus is warranted.

Distribution. Nuculana (s.l.) anakena is occasionally found at several locations around EI, in sand or rubble, from 10–100 m — E1.

Etymology. Named after the type locality.