Ervilia bisculpta Gould, 1861

Raines, Bret & Huber, Markus, 2012, 3217, Zootaxa 3217, pp. 1-106 : 81-83

Ervilia bisculpta Gould, 1861

Figures 41 D–H

Ervilia bisculpta Gould, 1861: p. 28 .

Ervilia bisculpta Gould, 1861 — Preece, 1995: p. 351; Brook & Marshall, 1998: p. 213; Tröndlé & Boutet, 2009: p. 9; Huber, 2010: p. 345, figs. 4–5; Spencer, et al., 2011: p. 1; Severns, 2011: p. 476, pl. 218, fig. 4.

Ervilia (Spondervilia) ambla Dall et al., 1938: p. 171 , pl. 44, figs. 5–8.

Ervilia (Spondervilia) bisculpta Gould (1861) — Kay, 1979: p. 558, figs. 181 A–B, non C–D.

Mactridae species— Osorio & Cantuarias, 1989: p. 306.

Material examined. Several hundred live taken specimens and single valves (up to 6 mm) (BK), as well as the 'Mactridae' specimen reported by Osorio and Cantuarias (1989).

Diagnosis. Shell small (up to 6 mm in length), elongate-ovate, subequilateral, strong and inflated. Umbones pronounced. Exterior surface sculpture of commarginal lirae with radial riblets on posterior and anterior ends. Interior ventral margin minutely denticulate, muscle scars subequal, pallial line with a somewhat deep sinus. Hinge rather stout, with the LV containing a narrow, low cardinal tooth on the anterior and a strong rather long lateral, while the posterior lateral is short and knob-like; the RV contains one pronounced anterior cardinal tooth, and a weak lateral on the posterior. Color variable from cream to pink, which may be uniform, spotted or with streaks.

Remarks. The EI material conforms to the type in Higo et al. [2001: B1039 and 1039s (= E. livida Gould, 1861 )], which also indicates a similar variability in shape and color as found in Japan, and the smaller sizes as typical for EI. It is probably the most abundant bivalve species on EI.

Habitat. Commonly found at many locations around EI and SyG, in sand and rubble, from 10–150 m.

Distribution. Ervilia bisculpta is known throughout the Indo-Pacific, ranging from eastern Africa to Japan including the Philippines, Australia, Marquesas Islands, Society Islands, Austral Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Kermadec Islands, Hawaiian Islands, and now recorded from Easter and Salas y Gómez Islands— E5.