Leptoconchus lamarckii Deshayes, 1863

(Fig. 11A)

Leptoconchus lamarckii Deshayes, 1863: 127, pl. 13, figs 1, 3.

TYPE MATERIAL. — Five syntypes (MNHN 0982).

TYPE LOCALITY. — Bourbon [Réunion Island].

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — The type material and: Tubuai Is., BENTHAUS, stn DW 1958, 23°19.6’S, 149°30.3’W, 80-150 m, 1 juv dd. — Banc Arago, stn DW 1985, 23°26.3’S, 150°44.2’W, 100-107 m, 1 dd. — N of Raivavae, stn DW 1943, 23°48.7’S, 147°39.1’W, 950 m, 1 dd (Fig. 11A).

SW of Rarapai Is., ATELIER RAPA 2002, stn 17, 27°34.6’S, 144°22.7’W, 9 m, 1 dd, 1 juv dd. — West of Tauna Is., stn 16, 27°36.3’S, 144°18.4’W, 5 m, 2 dd. — Hiri Bay, stn 10, 27°37.3’S, 144°22.2’W, 15-18 m, 1 dd.

DISTRIBUTION. — Throughout the Indo-West Pacific (uncommon in the Seychelles: Jarrett 2000), including Hawaii (Kay 1979). New Caledonia and Loyalty Islands, empty shells in 2- 60 m. Austral Islands, empty shells in 5-15 m (ATELIER RAPA 2002) and 107-950 m (BENTHAUS), although the deep records (BENTHAUS) are probably drifted from shallower waters.

REMARKS

It is considered the commonest species of Leptoconchus in the Indo-West Pacific region (Massin 1982). Despite this, only a few shells of L. lamarckii are present in the samples studied.Sampling that is more focused on endobiotic gastropods would probably give a better idea of their regional diversity.