Protocypraea, SCHILDER, 1927

Groves, Lindsey & Squires, Richard L., 2023, Revision of northeast Pacific Paleogene cypraeoidean gastropods, including recognition of three new species: implications for paleobiogeographic distribution and faunal turnover, PaleoBios 40 (10), pp. 1-52 : 16

PROTOCYPRAEA SCHILDER, 1927

Type Species— Eocypraea orbignyana Vredenburg, 1920 [non Grateloup, 1847], by original designation (of Schilder, 1927: p. 88), Late Cretaceous (Coniacian), Trichinopoly Group, Kullygoody, Tamilnadu District, India.

Diagnosis— Shell small to large in size. Moderately globular. Spire large, commonly projecting. Short and rounded posterior extremity. Anterior extremity with pointed or spatulate tips. Aperture narrow posteriorly curved, wide in the fossular section, constricted at the canal. Labrum narrow, spoon shapped, and sloping in front. Teeth usually weakly developed or absent. Fossula flat and smooth ( Lorenz, 2017).

Geologic Range— Early Cretaceous (Barremian) to middle Eocene (Lutetian) (Groves, 1994).

Remarks— Schilder (1927) described Protocypraea as a subgenus of Bernaya . Vredenburg (1920) recognized similarities in illustrated specimens of Stoliczka (1867) identified as Cypraea (Luponia) newboldi Forbes, 1846 (pl. 4, figs. 2–3), C. (Aricia) ficulina Stoliczka, 1867 (pl. 4, fig. 11), and C. kayei Forbes, 1846 (pl. 4, fig. 7) and renamed them Eocypraea orbignyana [now = Protocypraea orbignyana ].