Lima tomlini Prashad, 1932

Raines, Bret & Huber, Markus, 2012, 3217, Zootaxa 3217, pp. 1-106 : 44-46

Lima tomlini Prashad, 1932

Figures 22 C–E

Lima tomlini Prashad, 1932: p. 123 , pl. 3, figs.29–31.

Lima lata Pelseneer, 1911: p. 34 , pl. X, fig. 4, non E.A. Smith, 1885.

Material examined. Several articulated specimens and over fifty single valves (3 to 6.5 mm) (BK).

Original description. “Shell small, thin, almost transparent, very oblique, below anterior slope almost circular in outline, moderately swollen; anterior slope rather short, almost straight, greatly reduced anterior auricles nearly hidden in the heart shaped concavity of the front excavated area; posterior auricles narrow but distinct; posterior slope evenly arched, running imperceptibly into the ventral margin; hinge-area very short, with a short, subcentral, triangular ligamental pit; sculpture consisting of 35–46 very regular, closely placed and rounded ridges separated by almost linear interspaces, the ridges further bear several rows of short, delicate, triangular spines more prominently on the distal halves of the shells; shell margin finely dentate. Color white, inner surface polished, showing impressions of external radial sculpture.” ( Prashad 1932: 123.)

Remarks. From the rib count (about 34–38) of the EI specimens, Lima benthonimbifer Iredale, 1925 , L. fujitai

Oyama, 1943, L. nakayasui Habe, 1987 , L. perfecta Smith, 1904 , L. sagamiensis Masahito, Kuroda & Habe in Kuroda et al., 1971, L. spectata ( Iredale 1929) and L. vulgatula Yokoyama, 1922 can be excluded. From biogeography and stronger sculpture L. quantoensis Yokoyama, 1920 can be excluded as well. Only L. tomlini appears to be consistent with the rib count, depth, size and shape.

Habitat. Commonly found at many locations around EI and SyG, in sand and rubble, from 20–200 m. Live specimens at 150 m.

Distribution. Although originally described from the Arafura Sea, Lima tomlini is known from Indonesia to China and Japan. However, it is not known from the Hawaiian Islands. Easter and Salas y Gómez Islands are now recorded as a range extension— E4.