Otitoma boucheti, Morassi & Nappo & Bonfitto, 2017

Morassi, Mauro, Nappo, Andrea & Bonfitto, Antonio, 2017, New species of the genus Otitoma Jousseaume, 1898 (Pseudomelatomidae, Conoidea) from the Western Pacific Ocean, European Journal of Taxonomy 304, pp. 1-30 : 13-15

Otitoma boucheti sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:418A39B7-1A9A-472C-BD4A-C55004992489

Fig. 4 A–F

Etymology

Named after Dr. Philippe Bouchet of the Department of Systematics and Evolution, MNHN, Paris.

Type material

Holotype

FIJI ISLANDS: MUSORSTOM 10, Stn CP 1366, S of Viti Levu , 18°12.4 ′ S, 178°33.1 ′ E, 149–168 m ( MNHN IM-2000-32597 ).

Description

Shell fusiform (b/l 0.33; a/l 0.52). Teleoconch of 6 whorls, moderately convex, with a slightly angular shoulder posterior to mid-whorl. Suture shallow, bordered by a narrow and weak sub-sutural cord and a shallowly concave sutural ramp. Axial sculpture absent. Spiral sculpture of widely-spaced and rather narrow cords. Three earliest teleoconch whorls with sub-sutural fold and two cords on abapical half of whorl; fourth whorl with two additional cords, one secondary cord at abapical margin of sutural ramp and one main cord margining whorl base. Penultimate whorl with three main and four weaker cords, increasing in strength in such a way that there are 7 cords of nearly uniform strength on last whorl ( Fig. 4C). Last whorl with 21 spiral cords on base and siphonal canal. Interspaces between cords sculptured by 2–5 spiral threads ( Fig. 4D). Aperture rather narrow and ovate, constricted at entrance to siphonal canal. Siphonal canal long for genus, not notched terminally. Inner lip with moderately thin callus, parietal region with a pad formed at junction of outer lip. Outer lip edge sharp, preceded by a wide, low, rounded varix. Stromboid notch moderately deep. Anal sinus deep, U-shaped, with constricted opening. Protoconch narrowly conical, of 2¾ smooth whorls, diameter 0.76 mm ( Fig. 4 E– F). Color yellowish-white.

Dimensions

Holotype: 14.9 × 5.0 mm, aperture height 7.7 mm.

Remarks

In its large size (up to about 15 mm in length) and yellowish-white shell, Otitoma boucheti sp. nov. may superficially resemble O. tropispira sp. nov., but is readily distinguished from the latter in having more numerous, but much narrower and less prominent spiral cords, and a longer siphonal canal.