Vexillum nitidum ( Schaffer, 1898 )

Harzhauser, Mathias & Landau, Bernard, 2021, An overlooked diversity-the Costellariidae (Gastropoda: Neogastropoda) of the Miocene Paratethys Sea, Zootaxa 4982 (1), pp. 1-70 : 52-53

Vexillum nitidum ( Schaffer, 1898) [non Bellardi, 1887]

Fig. 18B

* Mitra nitida nov. spec. — Schaffer 1898: 541, fig. 4.

V [exillum]. (U [romitra].) nitidum (Schff.) — Sieber 1958a: 153 [non Bellardi, 1887b].

Type material. The syntypes have been deposited in the collection of Natural History Museum Vienna ( Schaffer 1898) but cannot be located and no additional material is known. Therefore, we reproduce the illustration of Schaffer (1898), fig. 18B.

Shell measurements and ratios. SL: 20.1 mm, MD: 8.0 mm; AA: 36°.

Discussion. The description by Schaffer (1898) is not clear and does not fully agree with the illustration. The illustration shows a large broad fusiform shell. The teleoconch whorls bear a broad coronate subsutural band delimited by a deep spiral groove, coinciding with a slightly angulated periphery. The sculpture consists of a dense pattern of opisthocline axial ribs and delicate spiral cords, being most prominent in the axial interspaces. The last whorl is convex, strongly constricted, with orthocline axial ribs and a moderately long siphonal canal. According to Schaffer (1898), the columella bears five columellar folds. Without additional material, the status of this species remains dubious. A further problem arises from the fact that Vexillum nitidum is secondary homonym of Vexillum nitidum Bellardi, 1887 (originally introduced as Uromitra nitida by Bellardi, 1887b: 45, pl. 5, fig. 49). Therefore, the Paratethyan species would need a new name. As there is no material available of this species, we refrain from introducing a new name.

Palaeoenvironment. Only known from the upper Badenian Studienka Formation, which represents middle to outer neritic depositional environments ( Biskupič, 2020).

Distribution in Central Paratethys. Badenian (middle Miocene): Vienna Basin: Devínska Nová Ves ( Slovakia) ( Schaffer 1898).

Vexillum nitidum ( Schaffer, 1898) [non Bellardi, 1887], reproduction of illustration of syntype by Schaffer (1898, fig. 4). C 1 –C 2. Pusia brevior ( Friedberg, 1911) , reproduction of illustration of lectotype by Friedberg (1911, pl. 1, fig. 17).

Figures

FIGURE 18 A. Tosapusia neudorfensis (Schaffer, 1898), reproduction of illustration of syntype by Schaffer (1898, fig. 5). B.