Caecum neoguineanum Vannozzi, 2019

Walter, Angelo Vannozzi & Renda, Walter, 2024, Sampling the depth: New data on the Caecidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda) from northeastern Papua New Guinea, Zoosystema 46 (14), pp. 327-347 : 340

Caecum neoguineanum Vannozzi, 2019

( Fig. 6K )

Caecum neoguineanum Vannozzi, 2019b: 87 , fig. 5A-J.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype. Papua New Guinea • sh; S Sek Island ; 5°07.0’S, 145°49.4’E, 17 m depth; MNHN-IM-2000-34766 . Paratypes. Papua New Guinea • 1 sh; same data as for holotype; MNHN-IM-2000-34767 • 1 sh; W Kranket Island , dredged; 5°11.7’S, 145°48.8’E; 16-28 m depth; MNHN-IM-2000-34768 .

TYPE LOCALITY. — Pacific Ocean, Papua New Guinea, South of Sek Island, 5°07.0’S, 145°49.4’E, 17 m depth.

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Papua New Guinea • 1 sh; New Ireland; 2°24’S, 49°55’E; 272-274 m depth; 6.IX.2014; KAVIENG 2014 Stn DW4495; MNHN .

DISTRIBUTION. — Known from northeastern PNG ( Vannozzi 2019b).

DIAGNOSIS. — Shell of average size for the genus, whitish, slightly glossy. Protoconch unknown. Teleoconch tubular, slightly arched, smooth. Early teleoconch subcylindrical, slightly arched, tapering toward the apex. Adult shell cylindrical, slender, slightly arched. Tube slightly inflated before the aperture, which is simple, slightly contracted and inclined, lip not reflected, sharp. No microsculpture. Septum low dome shaped without mucro, recessed below the cutting plane. Operculum and soft parts unknown. Adult shell length c. 2 mm.

REMARKS

A single worn specimen was found in the examined material, well fitting the holotype. The most similar species is C. japonicum due to the low dome-shaped septum without mucro and contracted aperture. However, C. neoguineanum is slenderer and more cylindrical and shows a characteristic inflated aperture.

Figures

FIG. 6. — Caecum Fleming, 1813 species from deep-water stations from northeastern PNG: A-D, C. dakuwaqa Pizzini, Raines & Vannozzi, 2013 from Stn DW4470 (C, D: juvenile); E, C. dakuwaqa from Stn DW4463; F, C. cf. succineum from Stn DW4495; G, C. neocaledonicum de Folin, 1868 from Stn DW4470; H, C. neocaledonicum from Stn DW4464; I, C. frugi Vannozzi, 2019 from Stn DW4412; J, C. frugi juv. from Stn CP4418; K, C. neoguineanum Vannozzi, 2019 from Stn DW4495; L, C. sp. from Stn DW4465 MNHN-IM-2022-2399. Scale bars: A-H, K, L, 1 mm; I, J, 0.5 mm.