Aplus minutulus ( Bałuk, 1995 )

Harzhauser, Mathias & Landau, Bernard M., 2024, The Colubrariidae, Eosiphonidae, Melongenidae, Pisaniidae, Prodotiidae and Tudiclidae (Gastropoda, Buccinoidea) of the Miocene Paratethys Sea, Zootaxa 5427 (1), pp. 1-110 : 29-30

Aplus minutulus ( Bałuk, 1995)

Fig. 13B

Cantharus (Pollia) lapugyensis H. et Au. var.— Strausz, 1954: 26, pl. 4, figs 96a–b [non Aplus lapugyensis (Hoernes & Auinger, 1890) ].

Cantharus (Pollia) exsculptus Dujardin , var.— Strausz 1966a: 308, pl. 34, figs 21–22 [non Aplus exsculptus ( Dujardin, 1837) ].

* Cantharus minutulus sp. n. — Bałuk 1995: 242, pl. 37, fig. 3.

A [nna] minutulus ( Baluk, 1995) — Vermeij 2006: 72.

Type material. Holotype: Z. PAL.U.W., No. BkK-G66S, SL: 6.0 mm, MD: 3.1 mm, Korytnica ( Poland) ( Bałuk 1995). Bałuk (1995: 242) mentioned three additional specimens without designating them as paralectotypes.

Revised description. Minute, moderately broad fusiform shell of about five teleoconch whorls. Protoconch of 2.5 whorls (according to Bałuk 1995). Spire whorls almost flat-sided to weakly convex with cancellate sculpture of prominent, relatively narrow axial ribs separated by slightly wider interspaces, overrun by three prominent, narrow spiral cords. Adapical primary spiral becoming bifid on third to fourth teleoconch whorl. Periphery close above suture. Last whorl attaining ~70% of total height, moderately convex, bearing 13 axial ribs and prominent spiral cords, subsutural cord formed by two close-set cords, weak secondary spiral cord intercalated between primaries; base moderately constricted with prominent spiral cords; fasciole weak, with prominent spiral cords. Aperture moderately narrow. Columellar callus weak. Columella weakly excavated with weak angulation at transition to siphonal canal. Parietal denticle weak. Anal canal weakly incised. Outer lip with several denticles. Siphonal canal moderately long, deflected to the left.

Discussion. This species is based on a juvenile specimen, as indicated by the aperture, which lacks all features typical for fully grown Aplus species. Nevertheless, shape and sculpture of the early teleoconch whorls differ from all other Aplus species described herein if compared at same growth stage. Especially the relatively high and flat-sided early teleoconch whorls distinguish Aplus minutulus ( Bałuk, 1995) from other species. The description given above of the apertural characters should be amended once adult specimens become available. Therefore, although the status of Aplus minutulus remains unclear, it seems to represent ‘good’ species.

Paleoenvironment. Unknown

Distribution in Central Paratethys. Badenian (Middle Miocene): Korytnica Basin: Korytnica ( Poland) ( Bałuk 1995); Pannonian Basin: Várpalota ( Hungary) ( Strausz 1966a).

Figures

FIGURE 13. A1–A2. Aplus lapugyensis (Hoernes & Auinger, 1890), NHMW 1867/0019/0082, lectotype, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). B. Aplus minutulus (Bałuk, 1995), holotype, Z.PAL.U.W., No. BkK–G66S, Korytnica (Poland). C1–C2. Aplus hofae nov. sp., holotype, NHMW 1857/0024/0016, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania).