Vetigastropoda

Kaim, Andrzej, Jenkins, Robert G., Tanabe, Kazushige & Kiel, Steffen, 2014, Mollusks from late Mesozoic seep deposits, chiefly in California, Zootaxa 3861 (5), pp. 401-440 : 413

Vetigastropoda / Neomphalina indet.

( Fig. 4 C)

Description. Low-spired and fast-expanding shell. The ornamentation consists of orthocline to slightly prosocline axial ribs and much weaker spiral ribs with small and sharp knobs at the intersections. Aperture and apex not preserved.

Material and occurrence. Single outer mould (GZG.INV.84980) from Rocky Creek (probably Valanginian, Early Cretaceous).

Remarks. The style of coiling resembles somewhat that of peltospirids, e.g. the “scaly foot gastropod” or Peltospira ( McLean 1989; Warén et al. 2003). Also the style of the axial ribs and the knobs is reminiscent of Peltospiridae . However, there are several similar vetigastropods, e.g., Granata Cotton, 1957 . Unfortunately the aperture is not preserved and we are unable to substantiate this preliminary identification.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A – B. Cataegis? sp. from Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) seep carbonates at Rocky Creek, Colusa County, California, USA; GZG. INV. 84972. A. Rubber cast of the juvenile whorls. B. Scaly pattern of the adult whorl base. C. Vetigastropoda / Neomphalina indet.? Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) seep carbonates at Rocky Creek, Lake County, California, USA; GZG. INV. 84980. D – J. Lithomphalus enderlini Kiel & Campbell, 2005 from Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) seep carbonates at Bear Creek, Colusa County, California, USA. D – F. Juvenile (GZG. INV. 84977) displaying ornamentation of the early ontogenetic stage of the shell. G – H. Adolescent specimen GZG. INV. 84978. I – J. Adolescent specimen GZG. INV. 84979.