Vokesimurex mindanaoensis (Sowerby, 1841)

Houart, Roland & Héros, Virginie, 2008, Muricidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Fiji and Tonga, Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle 196, pp. 437-480 : 442-443

Vokesimurex mindanaoensis (Sowerby, 1841)

Fig. 1G

Murex mindinaoensis (sic) Sowerby, 1841: 2, pl. 194, fig. 92.

Murex mindanaoensis - Vokes, 1971: 70 (justified emendation).

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Fiji. MUSORSTOM 10: stn CP 1323, m, 1 lv; stn CP 1390, 18°19’S, 178°05’E, 234-361 m, 2 dd . — 17°16’S, 177°46’E, 143-173 m, 1 lv; stn CP 1363, 18°12’S, BORDAU 1: stn CP 1402, 16°38’S, 179°36’E, 260-279 m, 1 lv; 178°33’E, 144-150 m, 2 lv, 1 dd; stn CP 1366, 18°12’S, 178°33’E, stn CP 1403, 16°40’S, 179°36’E, 220-224 m, 1 dd; stn CP 1404, 149- 168 m, 5 lv, 2 dd; stn DW 1370, 18°12’S, 178°33’E, 113- 16°40’S, 179°36’E, 180 m, 2 dd.

123 m, 1 lv (Fig. 1G); stn CP 1371, 18°12’S, 178°33’E, 135-151

DISTRIBUTION. — The Philippines, Papua New Guinea (Ponder & Vokes 1988: 115) and now Fiji (new record), live in 123-260 m.

REMARKS. — All the shells examined from Fiji are similar to Philippines specimens. Vokesimurex mindanaoensis is distinguishable by its high spire with short shoulder spines, its numerous short spines on the broad, rounded varices of the last whorl, and its almost spineless, long siphonal canal.