Modiolus matris Pilsbry, 1921

Raines, Bret & Huber, Markus, 2012, 3217, Zootaxa 3217, pp. 1-106 : 14-15

Modiolus matris Pilsbry, 1921

Figures 5 G–J

Modiolus matris Pilsbry, 1921: p. 321 , pl. 12, fig. 18.

Volsella matris Pilsbry, 1921 — Dall et al., 1938: p. 44, pl. 7, figs. 12–15.

Modiolus matris Pilsbry, 1921 — Kay, 1979: p. 512, figs. 164 K–L; Rehder, 1980: p. 107, pl. 13, figs. 7–8; Preece, 1995: p. 350; Tröndlé & Boutet, 2009: p. 4; Huber, 2010: p. 123, fig. 6; Severns, 2011: p. 438, pl. 200, fig. 3.

Material examined. Ten single valves (3.2 to 6.7 mm) from EI, plus specimens from the Hawaiian Islands ( MHU), Marquesas Islands ( MHU) and Pitcairn Island (BK).

Diagnosis. Shell small, somewhat rhomboidal, equivalve, inflated, thin and fragile, with a rounded dorsal margin and a gently concave ventral margin. Exterior surface consisting of fine, close-set commarginal threads, with a thin, hairy periostracum. Color creamy white to pale yellow background with irregular reddish brown radial streaks and blotches.

Remarks. The EI specimens conform to the Hawaiian and Marquesas material, though small compared to the maximum Hawaiian size of 19.3 mm.

Habitat. Occasionally found at several locations around EI, in fine sand, from 30–100 m.

Distribution. Modiolus matris was originally described from Oahu, Hawaii, but also known from Marquesas Islands, Austral Islands, Pitcairn Islands and Easter Island— E5.