Triphora erecta Thiele, 1925

Albano, Paolo G. & Bakker, Piet A. J., 2016, Annotated catalogue of the types of Triphoridae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) in the Museum fuer Naturkunde, Berlin, with lectotype designations, Zoosystematics and Evolution 92 (1), pp. 33-78 : 39-40

Taxon classification Animalia Caenogastropoda Triphoridae

Triphora erecta Thiele, 1925 Figure 7

Triphora erecta Thiele, 1925: 127 (93), plate XXII (X), figure 14.

Type specimens.

Holotype: ZMB/Moll no. 109265, fixed by monotypy.

Type locality.

"Station 104 (35°16' südl. Br., 22°26,7' östl. L., 155 m Tiefe, bei der Agulhasbank)" (South Africa).

Original description.

Eine mangelhaft erhaltene Schale von Station 104 (35°16' südl. Br., 22°26.7' östl. L., 155 m Tiefe, bei der Agulhasbank) erinnert in der Skulptur und Mündungsform an Laecochlis granosa (S. Wood), es muß dahingestellt bleiben, ob sie zu dieser Gruppe gehört. Der Schale fehlt das obere Ende, es sind nur 8-9 Windungen vorhanden, auch der Mündungsrand ist beschädigt. Die Windungen nehmen sehr langsam zu, daher ist die Schale sehr hoch und schlank, die Windungen sind deutlich gewölbt, die Naht eingedrückt. Die Oberfläche ist mit 5 glatten Reifen besetzt, die etwa so breit sind wie ihre Zwischenräume. Unterseite der letzten Windung glatt, Spindel ziemlich lang, etwas gedreht, unterer Kanal ziemlich lang, schräg abwärts gerichtet. Durchmesser fast 3 mm.

Translation.

A poorly preserved shell from station 104 (35°16'S, 22°26.7'E, 155 m depth, near Agulhas Bank), which reminds the sculpture and aperture of Laecochlis granosa (S. Wood); it is unclear if the species belongs to this group [ Triphoridae ]. The shell misses the apical part, there are 8-9 whorls visible, and also the aperture is damaged. The whorls slowly increase in size, this makes the shell very long and slender, the whorls are clearly convex, and the suture is deep. The surface of the whorls has five smooth spiral cords, which are about as wide as their interspaces. The lower part of the last whorl is smooth, the columella is fairly long, a little bit twisted, the siphonal canal fairly long, with its end bent. Diameter almost 3 mm.

Diagnosis.

Teleoconch of the holotype of seven whorls and 11.8 mm high, but the species is certainly much longer, because the holotype is just a fragment. Very slender shell, with poorly inflated whorls. Teleoconch whorls have four flat broad spiral cords and a suprasutural smooth cord. The holotype is probably a subadult, hence little can be said on the peristome and the base. Also the apex is missing. Colour greyish, but the specimen is definitely poorly preserved.

Remarks.

Also this species bears a striking ornamentation of smooth spiral cords like Triphora dilecta , but can be easily distinguished for its size, shape, and arrangement of cords.