29 Rishetia basseinensis (Godwin-Austen, 1920) comb. nov.

Fig. 13 E, F

Achatina pertenuis var. major Blanford, 1865: 79 [in part].

Glessula basseinensis — Godwin-Austen 1920: 54, pl. 161. fig. 3, pl. 164, fig. 12. Type locality: Bassein, Pegu and Pyema Khyoung, Bassein.

Type specimens.

Syntypes NHMUK 1909.3. 15.19 [re-registered in error as 1985139] (3 shells; Fig. 13 E, F) ex. Blanford ex. Godwin-Austen collection from Bassein, Pegu .

Diagnosis.

Shell slender, elongate turreted and regularly attenuated; apex rounded and blunt; subsequent whorls with fine and equally spaced radial ribs, which more prominent near suture. Suture impressed and whorls flattened convex. Aperture ovate; columella strong, concave, and truncated.

Distribution.

Rishetia basseinensis appears to be restricted within Myanmar and is known only from the type locality. Based on the current administrative boundary, ‘ Bassien (or Pathein), Pegus’ is in the Pathein Township, Pathein District, Ayeyarwady Region, rather than Pegu [Bago Region].

Remarks.

Godwin-Austen (1920: 53) stated that when examining the type series of ‘ Glessula pertenuis var. major ’ ex. Blanford collection, he found it very different from the nominotypical taxon, and described this specimen lot under a different name, ‘ Glessula basseinensis ’. In the original description, Godwin-Austen (1920: 54) provided two collection localities, namely ‘ Bassein, Pegu’ and ‘ Pyema Khyoung, Bassein’ and comparing three and six specimens, respectively. The description clearly states a catalogue number ‘ Type No. 19.9.3.15 B. M. ’ and includes an illustration of specimens from ‘ Bassein, Pegu’. The NHMUK collection contains this specimen lot NHMUK 1909.3. 15.19 consisting of three shells with an original label in Godwin-Austen’s handwriting stating ‘ Type’ from the H. F. Blanford collection. The specimen with a similar shell measurement given in the original description and with pink wool inside the shell is figured herein (Fig. 13 E). Additionally, one further shell from the same syntype lot is also illustrated (Fig. 13 F).

The specimen lot NHMUK 1909.1. 1.2208 is excluded from the type series of this species (see also under the Rishetia pertenuis major).