Dentalium debitusae, Scarabino, 2008

Scarabino, Victor, 2008, New species and new records of scaphopods from New Caledonia, Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle 196, pp. 215-268 : 218

Dentalium debitusae n. sp.

Figs 1a, 2g

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype (lv) MNHN 20065 and 10 paratypes (2 lv, 8 dd) MNHN 20066 .

TYPE LOCALITY. — Norfolk Ridge , 24°55’S, 168°22’E, 508-532 m [SMIB 8: stns DW 146-147] .

MATERIAL EXAMINED. — Norfolk Ridge. SMIB 8: stns DW 146-147, 24°55’S, 168°22’E, 508-532 m, 3 lv, 21 dd (holotype MNHN 20065 and 10 paratypes MNHN 20066 ) .

DISTRIBUTION. — Known only from the type locality, live in 508-532 m.

DESCRIPTION. — Shell of holotype 21 mm long, narrow, solid, profile irregular, straight for anterior 3/4, slightly curved at posterior end. Colour white in fresh specimens to cream or pale brown. Section almost circular throughout. Sculpture consisting of 10 primary ribs and isolated secondary ones, these secondary ribs initiated at center of length, all obscure near oral aperture. Intercostal space smooth, growth lines evident. Oral area irregular because of dense growth lines. Peristome circular, thick. Apex with shallow v-shaped notch on ventral side.

Measurements of holotype: L 21, W 1.5, w 0.4

REMARKS. — This species is similar to Dentalium crosnieri , but is more tapering. Most specimens have traces of shell repair in the anterior 1/3. The thinness of the oral border and the fact that the ribs vanish towards the aperture indicate that the specimens are adult. Paratypes measure 18 to 24 mm long.

ETYMOLOGY. — Named after Cécile Debitus, IRD research scientist working on novel molecules from marine biota, and Senior Scientist of the SMIB Expeditions.