Symethis variolosa (Fabricius, 1793)

(Fig. 9D, E)

Hippa variolosa Fabicius, 1793: 476 .

Martin Vaz specimens. 1 female (MZUSP 41574), R/V “Marion Dufresne”, TAAF MD55/ Brésil Expedition, Martin Vaz, stn 32 DC52, 20°29.2’S, 28°51.8’W, 20.v.1987, 64–80 m .

Size of largest female: cl 8.9 mm, cw 13.1 mm.

Comparative material examined. Symethis variolosa: Brazil: Bahia: 1 male, 1 female (MZUSP 41569) , R/V “Astro Garoupa”, REVIZEE, Comissão Central 2, Abrolhos Bank, stn 16C, 18°04’21”S, 37°19’39”W, 23.xi.1997, 82 m. 1 female (MZUSP 41573) , ibidem, Abrolhos Bank, stn 16C, 18°01’24”S, 37°21’55”W, 23.xi.1997, 53 m. Espírito Santo: 1 male (MZUSP 41568) , R/V “Marion Dufresne”, TAAF MD55/ Brésil Expedition, Vitória–Trindade Seamount Chain, Davis Bank, stn 23 DC40, 20°39’S, 34°41’W, 15.v.1987, sandy shell, 60 m. 1 male (MZUSP 41570) , ibidem, Davis Bank, stn 21 DC35, 20°42’S, 35°22’W, 16.v.1987, 82 m. 1 juvenile female (MZUSP 41572), ibidem, Montague Bank, stn 13 DC26, 20°21’S, 36°59’W, 14.v.1987, calcareous sand with algae and shell debris, 97.5 m. 1 juvenile female (MZUSP 41571), ibidem, off the coast of Guarapari, stn 30 DC50, 20°44.2’S, 31°49.9’W, 19.v.1987, calcareous sand and rocks, 95–120 m.

Distribution. North Carolina, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Venezuela and Brazil (Amapá to São Paulo, including Fernando de Noronha) (Coelho & Ramos 1972; Melo 1996; Felder et al. 2009). This is the first record of S. variolosa from Martin Vaz, the Abrolhos Bank and the Vitória–Trindade Seamount Chain (Montague and Davis banks).

Ecological notes. Inhabits soft bottoms including calcareous algae, calcareous sand mixed with shell and rocks, between 18–137 m. Goeke (1981) found that females are often collected with the spermathecal openings completely occluded by sperm plaques.

Remarks. Fabricius (1793: 476) described the western Atlantic species Symethis variolosa (as Hippa variolosa) upon material presented by Lorenz Spengler and gave Oceano Indico as the type locality without further specifics. The mistake needs correction in order to satisfy the ICZN (1999: recommendation 76A.2); however, it is not possible, for now, to restrict the type locality beyond western Atlantic.