Cellana conciliata Iredale, 1940

Vakani, Bhavik, Nakano, Tomoyuki & Kundu, Rahul, 2020, Diversity and taxonomy of the intertidal patellogastropod limpets of the mainland Indian coastline, Zootaxa 4728 (2), pp. 211-226 : 217-218

Cellana conciliata Iredale, 1940

( Fig. 5 , Fig. 9d )

Descripition. Shell diameter usually 20 mm to 50 mm. Shape roughly ovate with slight projection of costae; apex mainly in central position, pointed; shell colour dark brown with reddish shine. Shell surface resembles a brush due to the presence of very fine, dense sculptures. However, no demarcation of primary and secondary sculpture lines was observed. Generally, four pairs of uneven dark, reddish brown bands on shell surface in which mostly two posterior bands disperse at the marginal end. Inner surface is semi-translucent and shining. Foot colour creamy white. Tip area of cephalic tentacles shows similar coloration as the foot. These units consist of three tentacles in which the middle one is bigger than the others which are very small and arise at the base of the larger one.

Radular morphology ( Fig. 9d ). Radula type: docoglossan formula: 1 + D1 + 1 + D1 +1. The radular ribbon of C. consiliata is similar to that of other individuals of the C. radiata species complex. In every row, there is a spearshaped very small rachidian or middle tooth. There was one bifurcated lateral teeth on each side. One dominant marginal tooth also bifurcated on each side.

Materials Examined. Specimens were collected from Shriwardhan as well as from the Kelshi Coast, Maharashtra, India (18°02’52.6”N 73°00’29.3”E). Five specimens (length 12.7–21.6 ± 4.06 mm, width 15.3–18 ± 2.00 mm and height 5.2–8.2 ± 1.15 mm were examined. Two specimen having Museum ID: ZMGDNC35.1, ZMGDNC35.2, coll. Bhavik Vakani, were deposited at the Museum.

Remarks. Powell (1973) remarked that the species could easily be distinguished from other Cellana species by its very fine and dense radial sculpture. Powell (1973) reported this species from North Queensland down to Bargara, South Queensland and specimens deposited at the Natural History Museum Rotterdam (NMR 77621) are also form this region. We have observed this species from the Konkan to Malabar coastline, India.

Habitat. Puddles and crevices of middle to lower littoral area of the intertidal zone.

Distribution. Mainland Indian coastline form Konkan to Malabar coastline. This is the first report of this species from the mainland coastal India.

Figures

FIGURE 5. Cellana conciliata. a (dorsal), b (ventral), c (ventral empty shell), d (lateral). a–d (ZMGDNC27.5a), e–i variants of Cellana conciliata—e (ZMGDNC27.5e), f (ZMGDNC35.5f), g (ZMGDNC35.1), h (ZMGDNC35.2), i (ZMGDNC27.5i).

FIGURE 9. Radular teeth of patellogastropods (x 50). a: Cellana karachiensis, b: Cellana radiata, c: Cellana rota, d: Cellana conciliata, e: Cellana cylindrica, f: Patelloida lentiginosa, g: Lottia sp. (0.5 mm).