Talopena apicina ( Gould, 1861 ) Herbert, 2024

Herbert, David G., 2024, The Umboniinae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae) of New Caledonia, with descriptions of two new genera and eight new species, plus an additional new species from the Bismarck Sea, European Journal of Taxonomy 973, pp. 1-143 : 73-80

Talopena apicina ( Gould, 1861) comb. nov.

Figs 35–38

Monilea apicina Gould, 1861: 16 . Type locality: Port Jackson [Sydney Harbour, New South Wales], leg. W. Stimpson; erroneous – here emended to Lansdowne Bank, eastern Coral Sea [20.167°S, 160.617°E].

Monilea apicina – Gould 1862: 154. — Pilsbry 1889 –1890: 254. — Iredale 1924: 228. — Johnson

1964: 41, pl. 14 fig. 4 (holotype) Isanda (Parminolia) apicina – Ladd 1966 (partim): 39, pl. 5 figs 3–4 (holotype). Monilea incerta (non Iredale, 1912) – Héros et al. 2007: 209. Parminolia apicina – Wilson 1993: 94. Non Parminolia apicina – Iredale 1929a: 271. — Héros et al. 2007: 209 [= Parminolia agapeta

( Melvill & Standen, 1896)].

Material examined

Holotype ( Fig. 38A–D )

AUSTRALIA • Port Jackson [erroneous – see Remarks] USNM 24159.

Paratype ( Fig. 38E )

AUSTRALIA • Port Jackson [erroneous] NHMUK 20210269 .

Other material

NEW CALEDONIA – Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona • 4 specimens, living; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW147; 19°37′ S, 158°14′ E; depth 25 m; 28 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW136; 19°31′ S, 158°16′ E; depth 37 m; 30 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW48; 19°18′ S, 158°27′ E; depth 44 m; 23 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW42; 19°22′ S, 158°29′ E; depth 45 m; 23 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 14 specimens, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW128; 19°28′ S, 158°30′ E; depth 38 m; 29 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 4 specimens, living; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn D45; 20°48.93′ S, 158°30.21′ E; depth 50 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW76; 19°12′ S, 158°33′ E; depth 53 m; 25 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn D26; 19°10.72′ S, 158°34.95′ E; depth 48 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn D49; 20°58.2′ S, 158°35.0′ E; depth 48 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 10 specimens, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn D39; 20°28.9′ S, 158°40.7′ E; depth 40 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW38; 19°22′ S, 158°43′ E; depth 61 m; 23 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW79; 19°12′ S, 158°45′ E; depth 58 m; 25 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW31; 19°25′ S, 158°45′ E; depth 57 m; 23 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn D37; 19°54′ S, 158°46.3′ E; depth 50 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 23 specimens, dead; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn D17; 19°11.9′ S, 158°55.8′ E; depth 44 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 11 specimens, living; Plateau des Chesterfield, Stn DW110; 19°09′ S, 158°56′ E; depth 40 m; 28 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 4 specimens, dead; Plateau Chesterfield-Bellona, Stn DW85; 19°12′ S, 158°56′ E; depth 32 m; 26 Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 4 specimens, dead; without further detail; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN. – Lansdowne-Fairway Banks • 2 specimens, dead; Bancs Lansdowne–Fairway, Stn D8; 20°47.3′ S, 161°01.4′ E; depth 40 m; Jul. 1984; CHALCAL 1 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Bancs Lansdowne–Fairway, Stn DW26; 20°22′ S, 161°05′ E; depth 62 m; 22 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Bancs Lansdowne– Fairway, Stn DW02; 20°50′ S, 161°37′ E; depth 62 m; 20 Jul. 1988; NO Coriolis -CORAIL 2 leg.; MNHN. – d’Entrecasteaux Reefs – Lagon Nord – Belep • 1 specimen, dead; Atoll de Huon, Stn 436; 18°06′ S, 162°50′ E; depth 45 m; 25 Feb. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Lagon Nord, Stn 488; 18°53′ S, 163°30′ E; depth 38 m; 2 Mar. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Lagon Nord, Stn 487; 18°55′ S, 163°31′ E; depth 37 m; 2 Mar. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, dead; Lagon Nord, Stn 481; 18°57′ S, 163°32′ E; depth 33 m; 2 Mar. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Lagon Nord, Stn 518; 19°05′ S, 163°35′ E; depth 38 m; 5 Mar. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn 1105; 19°40′ S, 163°57′ E; depth 25 m; 25 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 12 specimens, living; Stn 1104; 19°42′ S, 163°59′ E; depth 22 m; 25 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Koumac • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 947; 20°33′ S, 164°07′ E; depth 17–18 m; 28 Apr. 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1305; 20°36.2′ S, 164°11.0′ E; depth 12–15 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1306; 20°39.1′ S, 164°12.4′ E; depth 11–13 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; fonds blancs; MNHN • 5 specimens, living; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1304; 20°38.6′ S, 164°13.2′ E; depth 12–15 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris, dalle; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn KD568; 20°40.1′ S, 164°14.3′ E; depth 2 m; 16 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable blanc et quelques débris coralliens; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Stn KD567; 20°40.1′ S, 164°14.6′ E; depth 2 m; 16 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable blanc et algues vertes filamenteuses; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Chenal de la Passe de Koumac, Stn 1315; 20°40.7′ S, 164°14.7′ E; depth 66–87 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable coquillier vaseux; MNHN • 8 specimens, dead; Chenal de la Passe de Koumac, Stn 1323; 20°40.9′ S, 164°14. 8′ E; depth 82–120 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable coquillier vaseux; MNHN • 7 specimens, living; Stn KD560; 20°45.6′ S, 164°15.2′ E; depth 5–9 m; 14 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable blanc et quelques algues brunes; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn KD559; 20°46′ S, 164°15.5′ E; depth 12–14 m; 14 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable blanc; DNA voucher; MNHN-IM-2019-8826 • 1 specimen, living; Stn KD572; 20°45.8′ S, 164°16.1′ E; depth 22–23 m; 18 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable grossier, coquilles; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn KD554; 20°47′ S, 164°16.8′ E; depth 2–5 m; 13 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable blanc et gros débris de coraux morts; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn KD553; 20°47.9′ S, 164°17.2′ E; depth 5–10 m; 13 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.: sable blanc; DNA voucher; MNHN- IM-2019-8778. – Grande Terre, Bourail • 7 specimens, dead; Lagon de Poé, Stn 1324; 21°36.9′ S, 165°22.7′ E; depth 0–2 m; 1 Sep. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; fonds mixtes, herbier; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Baie de St Vincent • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 186; 22°04′ S, 166°00′ E; depth 11 m; 19 Sep. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 4 specimens, dead; Stn 162; 22°13′ S, 166°09′ E; depth 10 m; 18 Sep. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Nouméa • 9 specimens, living; Stn DE56; 22°08.4′ S, 166°07.7′ E; depth 19–20 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, dead; Stn 51; 22°15′ S, 166°11′ E; depth 10 m; 25 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 50; 22°17′ S, 166°12′ E; depth 12 m; 25 May 1984; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 49; 22°19′ S, 166°14′ E; depth 10 m; 25 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 11 specimens, living; Grand Récif Aboré, Stn 1346; 22°21.9′ S, 166°16.1′ E; depth 5–6 m; 5 Oct. 1992; P. Bouchet leg.; fonds blanc; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn DE62; 22°16.8′ S, 166°16.6′ E; depth 32–34 m; 30 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 5 specimens, living; Stn 8; 22°23′ S, 166°18′ E; depth 15 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Quatre Bancs de l’Ouest, Stn 1511; 22°26.5′ S, 166°18.3′ E; depth 0–1 m; 26 Oct. 2000; Cosel and Trondlé leg.; platier, marée basse, récolte à vue; MNHN • 7 specimens, living; Quatre Bancs de l’Ouest, Stn 1510; 22°26.47′ S, 166°18.35′ E; depth 0 m; 26 Oct. 2000; Cosel and Trondlé leg.; hand dredge; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 257; 22°22′ S, 166°20′ E; depth 9 m; 7 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 7; 22°24′ S, 166°20′ E; depth 14 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 10 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Aboré, Stn 1347; 22°23.6′ S, 166°20.1′ E; depth 10 m; 8 Oct. 1992; P. Bouchet leg.; vase sableuse sur dalle; MNHN • 5 specimens, dead; Île aux Goélands, Stn 1368; 22°24.3′ S, 166°20.7′ E; depth 10 m; 16 Apr. 1993; P. Bouchet leg.; fonds blancs; MNHN • 4 specimens, living; Stn 4; 22°23′ S, 166°21′ E; depth 9 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 40 specimens, living; Crouy ; 22°21.5′ S, 166°21.7′ E; depth 1–6 m; 1990–2003; Claude Berthault leg.; MNHN • 7 specimens, living; SE Sèche Croissant, Stn 1508; 22°18.6′ S, 166°21.8′ E; depth unknown; 25 Oct. 2000; Cosel and Trondlé leg.; hand dredged; MNHN • 10 specimens, dead; Île aux Goélands, Stn 1503; 22°22.4′ S, 166°22.5′ E; depth 5–7 m; 21 Oct. 2000; Cosel and Trondlé leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 21; 22°23′ S, 166°23′ E; depth 10 m; 23 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 22; 22°26′ S, 166°23′ E; depth 11 m; 23 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Stn 281; 22°24′ S, 166°24′ E; depth 10 m; 9 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 283; 22°27′ S, 166°24′ E; depth 13 m; 9 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 64; 22°28′ S, 166°25′ E; depth 15 m; 20 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Anse Vata ; 22°18.1′ S, 166°26.4′ E; depth 1–5 m; 1987–2007; Claude Berthault leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Stn DE38; 22°33.6′ S, 166°28.6′ E; depth 22–24 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 82; 22°33′ S, 166°29′ E; depth 10 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 6 specimens, living; Stn DE36; 22°35.5′ S, 166°32.0′ E; depth 17–19 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 12 specimens, living; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 98; 22°36′ S, 166°32′ E; depth 15 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 95; 22°31′ S, 166°33′ E; depth 14 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 6 specimens, living; Stn DE35; 22°36.5′ S, 166°33.8′ E; depth 16 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 4 specimens, living; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 99; 22°33′ S, 166°35′ E; depth 14 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 159; 22°38′ S, 166°36′ E; depth 17 m; 24 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Île Ouen – Baie du Prony, Stn 161; 22°34′ S, 166°38′ E; depth 20 m; 24 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn DE30; 22°35.8′ S, 166°39.6′ E; depth 12–13 m; 28 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 7 specimens, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 293; 22°42′ S, 166°41′ E; depth 20 m; 26 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 294; 22°44′ S, 166°42′ E; depth 21 m; 26 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 308; 22°46′ S, 166°43′ E; depth 18 m; 27 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 233; 22°35′ S, 166°46′ E; depth 30 m; 22 Oct. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 341; 22°49′ S, 166°46′ E; depth 19 m; 28 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 340; 22°48′ S, 166°47′ E; depth 27 m; 28 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 339; 22°46′ S, 166°48′ E; depth 26 m; 28 Nov. 1984; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 312; 22°42′ S, 166°49′ E; depth 26 m; 27 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 544; 22°51′ S, 166°49′ E; depth 25 m; 15 Jul. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 336; 22°42′ S, 166°51′ E; depth 26 m; 28 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Île des Pins • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 589; 22°32′ S, 167°24′ E; depth 31 m; 18 Jul. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Loyalty Islands, Loyalty Ridge • 1 specimen, dead; Ride des Loyauté , Stn DW 433; 20°20′S, 166°09′ E; depth 24 m; 18 Feb. 1989; NO Alis -MUSORSTOM 6 leg.; MNHN. – Loyalty Islands, Lifou • 1 specimen, dead; Baie du Santal, in front of Kiki, Stn 1411; 20°47.6′ S, 167°10.4′ E; depth 48 m; 23 Nov. 2000; Atelier LIFOU 2000 leg.; sable entre patates; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Baie du Santal, in front of landing beaches at Drueulu, Stn 1413; 20°55.3′ S, 167°05.0′ E; depth 3–10 m; 26 Nov. 2000; Atelier LIFOU 2000 leg.; fonds meubles; MNHN .

Redescription ( Fig. 35 )

SHELL. Robust, of moderate size (diameter up to 11.6 mm); profile variable, globose-lenticular to trochoid-turbiniform (H/D 0.74–0.89); teleoconch of up to 6.25 whorls; periphery rounded, situated slightly below mid-whorl; suture level with periphery, often narrowly channelled on later spire whorls, usually not descendant prior to insertion of outer lip, or only slightly so; base umbilicate. Early teleoconch whorls with 3–4 fine spiral cords; three primary cords evident at end of third whorl, the uppermost one delimiting a flattened shoulder ( Fig. 36A ); a fourth level with abapical suture; intervals between cords with a secondary intermediary cord on fourth/fifth whorl; ± 3 secondary cords arising on shoulder during fifth whorl; subsequent whorls with cords of three orders as tertiaries arise between secondaries, totalling 10–14 on penultimate whorl; shoulder less evident on penultimate whorl and evanescing completely on last whorl; cords with asymmetrically triangular profile (roundly wedge-shaped), their intervals lacking spiral microlirae; axial sculpture of fine, close-set, prosocline pliculae throughout ( Fig. 36A ), progressively coarser with growth resulting in fine beading on cords on last whorl; base with 10–12 lower, more evenly sized and more rounded spiral cords, progressively more distinctly beaded by axial pliculae toward umbilicus. Umbilicus moderate to narrow, its margin defined by a wide thickened band with relatively fine, curved, axial pliculae; interior of umbilicus with a broad funicle above which is a deep channel. Aperture roundly quadrate, peristome interrupted in parietal region; columella lip thick, with a reflected lobe at end of umbilical funicle and a thickened, somewhat granular pad at end of peri-umbilical band, often notched; a weak tooth often present at columella base; parietal region with some callus deposition at insertion of columella, but generally without an expanded callus lobe; outer lip simple, thicker internally, its edge scalloped by spiral cords, strongly prosocline above periphery, orthocline below; interior nacreous in live-collected specimens, lacking in-running spiral ridges.

COLOUR. Shell lustreless; colour pattern variable; ground colour pale, variously mottled with blotches, irregular axial bands, flecks and spots in shades of white, pink and maroon-brown; base usually less heavily pigmented, but frequently with pigment blotches extending around periphery; peri-umbilical band whitish often with corneous periostracal layer; lobe at end of umbilical funicle white, never yellow. Some specimens more finely patterned or washed in shades of pink.

PROTOCONCH ( Fig. 36B ). Typically umboniine; diameter 180–195 µm; white; apical beak present and confluent with terminal lip; apical bulb with irregular subradial threads, further subspiral threads evident towards suture; terminal lip weakly convex.

OPERCULUM ( Fig. 36C ). Corneous, moderately thick, yellowish-brown; multispiral, but with rather few whorls and with relatively long growing margin; peripheral fringe narrow, with only faint radial striation; surface lacking spiral microsculpture.

RADULA ( Fig. 36D–F ). Formula ∞ +(1) +5+1 +5+ (1)+ ∞, with ± 40 transverse rows of teeth; teeth in central field with distinct overlapping base-plates, but shafts and cusps lacking; rachidian subcordate with bluntly rounded vestige of shaft on anterior edge; first lateral with broad convex outer margin, pinched in anteriorly (shaft vestige); remaining laterals similar, but with progressively less convex outer margin. Innermost marginal transitional, with stout base-plate and reduced shaft and cusp; other marginal teeth well developed with narrow shaft and strongly recurved cusp; cusps of inner marginal teeth long and spathulate with shallow medial furrow and 1–2 small pointed denticles at outer base (also on inner base, but usually not visible due to tooth overlap); marginals 3–10 with longest cusps; cusps progressively less elongate thereafter and with more numerous, finer denticles.

EXTERNAL ANATOMY. As for Talopena maestratii sp. nov.; dorsal area of eyestalks and eye, forehead, snout papillae, neck-lobes and sides of foot with opaque white pigmentation.

Habitat

Largely associated with sandy substrata in channels within the lagoonal system; living specimens 0–50 m, but mostly at depths of 5–35 m, empty shells to 82 m in reef passes.

Distribution ( Fig. 37 )

Known to date only from the New Caledonian marine ecoregion, but widely distributed within this, ranging from the Chesterfield-Bellona Plateau and Lansdowne-Fairway Banks, to the d’Entrecasteaux

Reefs and Belep, Grande Terre, and the Loyalty Islands. Records of Monilea apicina and Parminolia apicina from other areas require confirmation and may in fact represent Parminolia agapeta .

Remarks

Following Iredale (1924; 1929a), Monilea apicina Gould, 1861 , supposedly from New South Wales, has long been considered an earlier name for Minolia agapeta Melvill & Standen, 1896 . Iredale (1924) speculated that Gould’s original material of the then unfigured M. apicina was lost, however, the holotype (USNM 24159) has since been illustrated twice, by Johnson (1964: 41, pl. 14 fig. 4) and by Ladd (1966: 40, pl. 5 figs 3–4), and I illustrate it again here ( Fig. 38A–D ). The NHMUK material referred to by Iredale (1924) also remains present ( Fig. 38E ). It is clearly conspecific with the USNM holotype. These illustrations reveal that Monilea apicina is not conspecific with Minolia agapeta , the latter (see Parminolia agapeta above) has a smaller (diameter 4.5 mm vs 6.0 mm) and more elevated shell, with fewer, more undulant spiral cords, and a narrower umbilicus with a weaker peri-umbilical cord and interior funicle.

The original material of Monilea apicina was collected during the US North Pacific Exploring Expedition (USNPEE) and the published locality was given as ‘Port Jackson’ [Sydney Harbour, New South Wales]. However, Hedley (1908: 464) indicated that the species had not been recognised within the Australian fauna and I am unaware of any subsequent records of the species from south-eastern Australia. The ‘Port Jackson’ locality is almost certainly erroneous. Instead, Ladd (1966) noted that the USNM holotype was labelled ‘Coral Sea’ and the USNPEE visited this region immediately after leaving Sydney in January, 1854, passing a shoal where a dredge haul was undertaken on January 20, at 20°07′ S, 160°37′ E (Lansdowne Bank) containing ‘twelve species of bivalves and one hundred and five of univalves’ ( Johnson 1964: 22).

Comparison of the holotype of Monilea apicina with the material listed above, including similarlysized specimens from the Chesterfield-Bellona Plateau and the Lansdowne Bank ( Fig. 38F–H ), clearly indicates conspecificity and the holotype is simply a juvenile specimen of a species referable to Talopena . Above, I provide a redescription of the species based on live-collected adult specimens. Talopena apicina differs from T. maestratii sp. nov. in being smaller (max. diameter 11.7 mm vs 17.0 mm) and in having slightly weaker spiral cords of 2–3 alternating orders, the intervals between which are narrower and lack spiral microlirae; the axial sculpture on the last adult whorl is also more distinct in T. apicina , rendering the spiral cords finely beaded. In addition, the pliculae on the peri-umbilical band are much finer, the colour pattern generally more pinkish and the reflected callus at the end of the umbilical funicle is white, never yellow.

To correct the erroneous original locality, I here designate the type locality for Monilea apicina Gould, 1861 , to be the location of the USNPEE dredge haul taken on January 20, 1854, at 20°07′ S, 160°37′ E [20.167° S, 160.617° E], Lansdowne Bank in the eastern Coral Sea.

Figures

Fig. 35. Talopena apicina (Gould, 1861) (all MNHN). A–D. Largest specimen, Nouméa, Stn 98, diameter 11.6 mm. E–F. Specimen with distinct columella features, Koumac, Stn 1305, diameter 10.6 mm. G–H. Elevated and depressed specimens from same sample, Nouméa, Stn DE56, diameters 9.4 and 9.0 mm, respectively. I–J. Densely patterned specimen, Nouméa, Crouy, diameter 8.0 mm. K. Pink specimen, Koumac, Stn KD553, diameter 7.8 mm.

Fig. 36. Talopena apicina (Gould, 1861) (all MNHN). A. Oblique view of apex. B. Protoconch. C. Operculum. D. Radula, entire width. E. Radula, central field and latero-marginal transition. F. Radula, inner marginal teeth. A. Nouméa, Stn 233; B–F. Nouméa, Crouy. Scale bars: A, C=1.0 mm; B, E–F =50 µm; D= 100 µm.

Fig. 37. Map of the Coral Sea showing the distribution of Talopena apicina (Gould, 1861). Emended type locality indicated in pink.

Fig. 38. Talopena apicina (Gould, 1861). A–D. Holotype of Monilea apicina Gould, 1861, height 4.7 mm, diameter 6.0 mm (USNM24159; images courtesy of Ellen Strong and Yolanda Villacampa). E. Paratype of Monilea apicina Gould, 1861, height 4.7 mm, diameter 6.0 mm (NHMUK 20210269; image courtesy of Kevin Webb, NHM Photo Unit. © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London). F–H. Similarly sized specimens (MNHN).F. Lansdowne-Fairway Banks, Stn DW26, diameter 6.6 mm. G. Chesterfield-Bellona Plateau, Stn D17, diameter 6.4 mm. H. Chesterfield-Bellona Plateau, Stn D37, diameter 6.8 mm.