Gouldipoma chrysostiria, Watters, G. Thomas, 2014

Watters, G. Thomas, 2014, A revision of the Annulariidae of Central America (Gastropoda: Littorinoidea), Zootaxa 3878 (4), pp. 301-350 : 323-325

Gouldipoma chrysostiria new species

Figures 6 G–S, 12 D

Type material. UF 479667, holotype (figs. 6 G, H); UF 479319 (6), paratypes (fig. 6 I), from type locality. Type locality. 3 km WSW of La Brea, 100 m elevation, Colón Department, Honduras. Distribution and habitat. Limestone ridges lining both sides of the broad valley shared by the Rio Aguán and Rio Chipagua, Colón Department, Honduras. Locally very abundant.

Conservation. None of the localities for this species is protected.

Other material (specimens examined: 1,076). Honduras. Colón Department: UF 221391 (85), limestone ridge 5 km SW of Francia, 150 m; UF 221412 (89), limestone ridge 11.5 km SW of Francia, 50 m; UF 221351 (163), limestone ridge at Cerro Piedra Blanca 13.4 km SW of Francia, 50 m; UF 211969 (333), UF 212016 (82), limestone ridge 2.6 km SW of La Brea, 100 m; UF 221164 (252), 3 km WSW of La Brea, 100 m; UF 221326 (72), limestone ridge 7 km ENE of La Brea, 100 m.

Description. Shell high spired, thin, translucent, last whorl solute just before aperture. Smallest adult specimen seen 10.8 mm in length, largest 15.6 mm, average 12.9 mm (decollate). Protoconch lost in most adults, 1.5 prominent, rounded, flat-topped cream to tan whorls; poorly demarcated from teleoconch. Teleoconch of 3.75–4.25 rounded whorls. Umbilicus open, not occluded by outer lip. Spiral sculpture of ca. 30–35 narrow, regularly spaced threads and three cords delimiting the umbilicus. Axial sculpture of ca. 45–95 regularly spaced, narrow, erect, rounded threads, larger than spiral threads. Spiral threads do not cross the axial threads but are clearly apparent between them. Suture indented, not channeled. Tufts absent but the axial lamellae may render the suture serrate. Aperture nearly circular. Inner lip absent or fused with outer lip. Outer lip very narrow, narrowest facing umbilicus, weakly or not auriculate posteriorly, solute from previous whorl. Color uniformly golden or reddish orange, rarely pale tan. Some populations have 4–6 narrow brown bands; bands do not appear on adapertural face of peristome. Last 1/8th or less of final whorl fading to white just before the aperture. Peristome glossy tan, darker just within aperture. Operculum multispiral with an erect and reflected calcareous lamella with a prominent sulcus; lamella often worn away. Radula and anatomy unknown.

Variation in specimens. Populations vary considerably in the strength and number of axial threads (45–95); those from 7 km ENE of La Brea are particularly densely and finely sculptured (fig. 6 Q). The base color and presence or absence of spiral bands also varies by population; most are gold or orange but the specimens from 5 km SW of Francia are uniformly pale tan (fig. 6 O).

Comparison with other species. The clathrate sculpture and peculiar coloration sets this species apart from other Gouldipoma.

Remarks. The presence of this abundant and beautiful species from an isolated locale in northern Honduras begs the question of how many undescribed annulariids remain to be discovered in Central America.

Etymology. Gr. chrysos, gold + L. stiria, icicle—golden icicle; feminine noun in apposition.

Figures

FIGURE 6 A – F. Gouldipoma callipeplum (Solem, 1961). A. FMNH 90603, paratype, 12.3 mm, photo courtesy of J. Gerber (FMNH). B – F. UINHM 25952, paratypes. B – C. 11.6 mm. D. 12.1 mm. E – F. 14.2 mm. FIGURE 6 G – S. Gouldipoma chrysostiria new species. G – H. UF 479667, holotype, 14.3 mm. I. UF 479667, paratype, 13.6 mm. J. UF 221351, 16.5 mm. K. UF 221412, 11.3 mm. L. UF 221412, 15.9 mm. M. UF 221164, 11.1 mm. N. UF 221164, 15.6 mm. O. UF 221391, 15.5 mm. P. UF 221391, 14.7 mm. Q. UF 221326, 15.1 mm. R. UF 211969, 13.2 mm. S. UF 212016, 14.0 mm. FIGURE 6 T – Y. Gouldipoma thomasi (Solem, 1961). T – U. FMNH 93390, holotype, 17.7 mm, photo courtesy of J. Gerber (FMNH). V – W. GTW 9121 a, 15.0 mm. X – Y. GTW 9121 b, 17.8 mm.