Glorichlamys elegantissima (Deshayes, 1863)

Dijkstra, H. H. & Kilburn, R. N., 2001, The family Pectinidae in South Africa and Mozambique (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Pectinoidea), African Invertebrates 42, pp. 263-321 : 279-280

Glorichlamys elegantissima (Deshayes in Maillard, 1863)

Pecten elegantissimus Deshayes in Maillard, 1863: 32, pl. 4, figs 11–12. Type locality: Réunion Is., Mascarenes .

Pecten (Chlamys) elegantissimus ; Bavay, 1903: 403, pl. 8, figs 5–7.

Chlamys elegantissima ; Lamy, 1935: 310; Rombouts, 1991: 11, pl. 24, fig. 1; Dijkstra et al., 1989: 24; idem, 1990: 5, illustr; Anonymous, 1991: 2, fig. 5.

Glorichlamys elegantissima ; Dijkstra, 1991: 45, fig. 91 (synonymy, references, discussion); 1998: 20, pl. 2, figs 5–6.

Pecten cooperi E. A. Smith, 1903: 621 , pl. 36, figs. 15–18. Type locality: Felidu Atoll , Maldive Islands, 2– 64 m.

Description: Shell up to ca. 20 mm high, adult height usually 10–15 mm, moderately convex, inequilateral, auricles very unequal, umbonal angle ca. 85°–95°, ribbing of valves different. LV with 9–11 prominent radial costae and 1–3 interstitial secondary riblets, one of which is dominant. Ribs with irregular lamellae, sometimes slightly noduliferous. Interspaces covered with concentric lamellae.Anterior auricle much larger than posterior (ca. 3:1), sculptured with 4–6 noduliferous and lamellate radial ribs, posterior auricle nearly smooth. RV with 9–11 prominent radial costae, divided into 3– 4 lamellate secondary riblets, interspaces smaller than costae and concentrically lamellated. Anterior auricle sculptured with 5–7 noduliferous and/or lamellated radial riblets, less prominent than on LV. Posterior auricle nodulous. Hinge line straight. Byssal fasciole relative broad, byssal notch deep. Active ctenolium with 3–5 teeth on suture. Resilifer black and elongately oblique-triangular. Outer ligament brown.Auricular crura well developed. Inner surface of both valves glossy white and somewhat plicated, more prominent near ventral margin. Colour creamy with pink or brown maculations, LV slightly more strongly coloured.

Type material: P. elegantissimus : types not in MNHN. P. cooperi : holotype BMNH 1903.9 .17.47 (seen by HD).

Regional data: MOZAMBIQUE: Bay of Maputo, Cabo de Santa Maria, beachdrift, dead ( NMSA 9159 : RK) . SOUTH AFRICA: Zululand (all NMSA) : Kosi Bay , main reef, 1–4 km S of estuary mouth, 18–22 m, dead (S1048: D. Herbert et al.); same loc., main reef, 1–4 km S of estuary mouth, 10–16 m, dead (S1836: D. Herbert et al.); SE of Kosi Bay, 50 m, coral slabs, dead (S3968: NMDP) ; same loc., 48 m, sand and rubble, dead (D8427: NMDP) ; Sodwana Bay, Two Mile Reef , 10–15 m, sorted from stone washings, dead (E788: D. Herbert & R. Broker); off Boteler Point, 70 m, coral rubble, dead (D6415: NMDP) ; same loc., 70 m, some coarse sand, some shell rubble, dead (D7391: NMDP) ; same loc., 70 m, sand, some stones, dead (S4162: NMDP) ; NE of Dog Point , 56–57 m, sand, lithothamnial pebbles, dead (S5038: NMDP) ; SE of Rocktail Bay , 60 m, coarse sand, dead (S5269: NMDP) ; NE of Liefeldt’s Rocks , 50 m, lithothamnion, medium sand, dead coral rubble, dead (E4317: NMDP) ; off Cape Vidal, 75–80 m, broken shell, dead (E4527); Ledsman Shoal , 100 m, dead (D663: A. D. Connell); same loc., 8–11 m, dead (D6510: D. Herbert); off Glenton Reef, 50 m, dead (S563: NMDP) . Natal: off Umlaas Canal , 250 m, coarse sand, dead (D933: NMDP) ; Aliwal Shoal , 15 m, dead (D5436: G. Smith) .

Extralimital material: RÉUNION IS.: Cap la Houssaye, 8–17 m, varied bottom, live ( NMSA K4450 : D. Herbert) .

Distribution: Red Sea to South Africa (as far south as southern Natal) and east to Japan and Polynesia.

Habitat:Attached by byssal threads under stones or coral slabs, or between coral rubble and sediments, on sandy bottoms in 12–110 m.

Remarks: G. elegantissima is widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific.Although very variable in sculpture, South African specimens are typical.