Alora parisottoae sp. nov.

Figs 1A–L

Type material. Holotype: 1 shell (IBUFRJ 17218, Figure 1A–E), Rio de Janeiro, Bacia de Campos, OCEANPROF I #44, 22°10’43’’ S, 39°54’46’’ W, 750 m, 10.xii.2002 . Paratypes: 3 shells (MNRJ destroyed, Figures 1F–L), 2 shells (MZSP 101282), Pernambuco, REVIZEE/NE, 08°46’ S, 34°44’ W, 690 m, 18.xi.2001; 1 shell (IBUFRJ 17232) , 28 shells (IBUFRJ 19205), OCEANPROF I #44, 22°10’43’’ S, 39°54’46’’ W, 750 m, 10.xii.2002; 6 shells (IBUFRJ 15070), OCEANPROF I #49, 22°04’34’’ S, 39°54’05’’ W, 750 m, 24.xi.2002 ; 7 shells (IBUFRJ 17092), Rio de Janeiro, Bacia de Campos, OCEANPROF I #59, 21°52’59’’ S, 39°55’30’’ W, 750 m), 12.xii.2002 ; 1 shell (IBUFRJ 15405), 1 shell (IBUFRJ 17262), 1 shell (IBUFRJ 18810), OCEANPROF I #74, 22°27’31’’ S, 40°09’23’’ W, 750 m, 21.xi.2002 ; 2 shells (IBUFRJ 15512), OCEANPROF II #69, 22°31’11’’ S, 40°15’12’’ W, 743 m, 18.vi.2006 ; 1 shell (MZSP 84222), off São Sebastião, São Paulo, 530 m, 07.xii.1988 .

Type locality. Brazil: Rio de Janeiro, 22°10’43’’ S, 39°54’46’’ W, 750 m depth.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Prof. Dr. Carmen Regina Parisotto Guimarães (Department of Biology, Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil) in recognition of her three decades of dedication to teaching zoology and training students in the taxonomy and ecology of marine invertebrates.

Diagnosis. Sculpture on teleoconch whorls consisting of closely, irregularly spaced, numerous, prosocline axial threads and low, thin spiral cords. Intersection of spiral and axial sculptures forming very narrow rectangular interspaces arranged vertically and tiny nodules that produce slight crenulation on spiral ornamentation.

Description. Shell white-translucent, thin, turbinate, reaching 6.32 mm in length and 5.67 mm in width (Figure 1A, G, I). Protoconch conical, about 3.75 tightly coiled whorls, first whorl smooth, second and third whorls with about 60 to 70 and 70 to 80 axial microstriae, respectively; second to third whorl with subsutural spiral thread extending to transition with teleoconch, transition to teleoconch marked by straight axial edge. Protoconch with axis slightly inclined (Figure 1B–C, K–L). Spire contracted, conical oblique, 1/5 to 1/4 of total length (angle: 69° to 76°). Teleoconch with up to 4.5 regularly convex, tightly coiled whorls rapidly increasing in diameter, forming slight subsutural shoulder (Figure 1A, F–I). Axial sculpture consisting of closely, irregularly spaced, numerous, prosocline, axial threads. Spiral sculpture consisting of 12 to 14 low, thin cords on penultimate and body whorl (thin spiral threads visible between cords on body whorl) (Figure 1A, D–E, H–J). Intersection of spiral and axial sculptures forming very narrow rectangular interspaces arranged vertically and tiny nodules that produce slight crenulation on spiral ornamentation (Figure 1E, J). Body whorl capacious, large (about 3/4 of total length of shell), with irregular oval outline (Figure 1A). Base delimited by inclined, more vigorous cord forming slight carina, sculptured with axial threads and about 15 irregularly spaced spiral cords that evanesce toward umbilicus (Figure 1A, D, F–G). Aperture large, oval, about 1/2 of total length of shell. Parietal region thin, flattened. Outer lip thin, broadly arched, and angular at level of suprasutural carina. Inner lip thin (Figure 1A, F–G), slightly thickened, and reflexed in columellar area on adult shell (Figure 1A, D). Umbilicus narrow, half-moon-shaped in subadult shells (Figure 1F–G) or presents as very narrow chink in adult shells (Figure 1A, G).

Distribution. Brazil: Pernambuco (690 m depth), Rio de Janeiro (743–750 m depth) and São Paulo (530 m depth).

Habitat. Muddy sand bottom.

Material Examined. Types.

Remarks. The new species Alora parisottoae sp. nov. shares a dominant spiral sculpture with its deep-sea Atlantic congeners. However, A. parisottoae sp. nov. clearly differs from A. tenerrima and A. retifera, primarily in its weak to faint axial and spiral ornamentation, which consists of thin axial threads and spiral cords with the intersections forming very narrow rectangular interspaces. In contrast, A. tenerrima and A. retifera exhibit a more robust, raised sculpture composed of spiral cords and axial ribs, whose intersections form larger quadrangular and rectangular interspaces, respectively. Additionally, A. parisottoae sp. nov. differs from A. tenerrima and A. retifera in the presence of a very narrow chink-like umbilicus and a body whorl with an irregular oval outline. Conversely, the congeners have a narrow, half-moon-shaped umbilicus and a body whorl with a regular oval contour (Bouchet & Warén 1986: 543, figs. 1251–1252). Furthermore, the new species features 12 to 14 spiral cords on the last two teleoconch whorls, whereas A. tenerrima develops approximately five well-spaced spiral cords on its teleoconch whorls (Bouchet & Warén 1986: 542–543, fig. 1251).