Vasticardium sp.

Raines, Bret & Huber, Markus, 2012, 3217, Zootaxa 3217, pp. 1-106 : 71-72

Vasticardium sp.

Figure 36 E

Acrosterigma (Vasticardium) — Luke, 1995: p. 106.

Cardium sp. — Trego, 1997: p. 199.

Material examined. One large fragment from the 1957/58 Downwind Expedition, noted as Acrosterigma (Vasticardium) by Luke (1995), and Cardium sp. by Trego (1997), in the SIO Benthic Collection, M1440 ( Fig. 36 E).

Diagnosis. Shell fragment 30 mm, (maximum size appears to reach at least 40 mm in height), probably equivalve, inequilateral, not fragile. Exterior surface consisting of coarse radial ribs, with prominent scales. Hinge is expected to be stout and well developed. Flesh colored.

Remarks. The fragment has been identified as Vasticardium spec. indet. by J.J. ter Poorten, (pers. comm., 2010), due to its coarse sculpture. The missing discriminating posterior quarter did not allow any specific identification.

The identity with the two biogeographically closest congeners Vasticardium hawaiensis (Dall, Bartsch & Reh- der, 1938), from the Hawaiian Islands and Vasticardium mendanaense (G.B. Sowerby III, 1897) , from Marquesas Islands appears unlikely. M. Severns, (pers. comm., 2010) did not recognize it as a Hawaiian cardiid.

Acrosterigma sorenseni ( Powell, 1958) , from Kermadec Island was discussed and identified by Vidal (1999: 280) as member of the A. cygnorum group. However, this species does not resemble any EI species in shape or sculpture, and is generically distinct from Vasticardium sp.

Thus, we cannot exclude the possibility that an additional undescribed cardiid may be present at EI. For the time being this species is treated as unnamed and endemic.

Habitat. Trawled from La Perouse Bay, EI, 40–100 m, 1957/58 Downwind Expedition (DWHD-76).

Distribution. At present this Vasticardium sp. is only known from Easter Island— E1.