Chiton (Rhyssoplax) pulcherrimus Sowerby, 1842

Schwabe, Enrico, Sirenko, Boris I. & Seeto, Johnson, 2008, A checklist of Polyplacophora (Mollusca) from the Fiji islands, Zootaxa 1777, pp. 1-52 : 13-14

Chiton (Rhyssoplax) pulcherrimus Sowerby, 1842

( Figures 4A–C )

Chresonymy in Kaas et al. (2006: 172).

Chiton pulcherrimus Sowerby 1842: 103 ; Reeve 1847: pl. 20, spec. and fig. 132; Shuttleworth 1853: 191; H. Adams & A. Adams 1858: 475; Brazier 1877: 75; Hedley 1910: 352; Iredale 1910: 158; Ashby 1918: 86; Mackay 1934: 150; Ashby & Cotton 1937: 145; Leloup 1952: 34, 56, pl. 1, fig. 2, pl. 4, fig. 1, fig. 13; Rajagopal & Subba Rao 1974: 400, 406; Subba Rao & Dey 2000: 4; Strack 2003: 13; Subba Rao 2003: 51, fig. 19.3; Kaas et al. 2006: 172.

Lepidopleurus pulcherrimus ; H. Adams & A. Adams 1858: 472.

Ischnochiton pulcherrimus ; Pilsbry 1893: 130, pl. 27, figs 47–48; Nierstrasz 1905a: 34.

Chiton (Lepidopleurus) pulcherimus ; Clessin 1903: 38, pl. 14, fig. 6.

Chiton reticulatus Nierstrasz 1905 a (non Reeve, 1847): 81, pl. 2, fig. 36, pl. 7, figs 195–199 (two Syntypes in ZMA, the illustrated specimen of 14.3 x 8.6 mm [Nierstrasz’s measurements were “ 17 x 10 mm”] is here designated being the lectotype ZMA Moll. 3.05.056; type locality: Indonesia, Sulawesi Selatan, near the North point of Pulau Selayar [05°45’S 120°28’E], Selayar anchorage and surroundings, including Pulu Pasi Tanette, up to 36 m, coral reefs, mud and mud with sand [ Siboga Station 213], restricted herein); 1906: 146; Leloup 1933: 16, pl. 1, figs 5–8; Kaas 1957: 84; Kaas & Van Belle 1980: 110; 1998: 157; Gowlett-Holmes 2001: 38; Kaas et al. 2006: 172.

Rhyssoplax excellens Iredale & Hull 1926a: 181 , pl. 19, figs 22, 27, 40 (Holotype AMS C. 171054; type locality: Australia, Torres Strait, Darnley Island [09°35’S 143°46’E]; not seen); 1927: 116, pl. 13, figs 22, 27, 40; Mackay 1934: 150, pl. 16; Joyce 1959: 237; Bullock 1988a: 687; Kaas & Van Belle 1998: 70; Gowlett-Holmes 2001: 38; Kaas et al. 2006: 172.

Rhyssoplax pulcherrima ; Ang 1967: 392, 403, pl. 6, figs 1–5; Gowlett-Holmes 2001: 38; Strack 2001: 11; Kaas et al. 2006: 173; Saito 2006c: 131.

Chiton (Rhyssoplax) pulcherrimus ; Kaas & Van Belle 1980: 106; 1998: 151; Kaas et al. 2006: 172, fig. 64.

Chiton (Rhyssoplax) excellens ; Kaas & Van Belle 1980: 45.

Chiton (Anthochiton) excellens ; Ashby & Cotton 1937: 145.

Chiton (Rhyssoplax) excellens capricornensis Ashby 1928: 169 , pl. 12, figs 1, 13 (holotype: probably destroyed by fire [see Gowlett-Holmes 2001, p. 38], type locality: Australia, Queensland, Capricorn group [23°20’S 151°50’S]); Mackay 1934: 150, 151; Kaas & Van Belle 1980: 22; 1998: 40; Bullock 1988a: 687; Gowlett-Holmes 2001: 38; Kaas et al. 2006: 172.

Chiton excellens capricornensis ; Ashby & Cotton 1937: 145.

Rhyssoplax nierstrasziana Kaas, 1957: 85 [replacement name for Chiton reticulatus Nierstrasz, 1905 (non Reeve, 1847)]; Bullock 1988a: 687; Kaas & Van Belle 1998: 130; Strack 1996: 168; Gowlett-Holmes 2001: 38; Kaas et al. 2006: 173.

Chiton (Rhyssoplax) nierstraszianus ; Kaas & Van Belle 1980: 89.

? Rhyssoplax venusta Hull, 1923 ; Coleman 2003: 32, un-numbered text figure.

Locus typicus: Philippines, Visayan Islands, Bohol Island, Guindulman [9°44’N 124°28’E].

Primary type: Five syntypes (NHM 1968881).

Material examined: ZISP: 1 subadult spm, Vekai Island [17°34’S 178°49’W], Callisto St. 95, 27 m, leg. Boris I. Sirenko, 0 8 February 1975, wet.

Habitat: The specimen was found at Nigger Head among living corals.

Distribution: According to Kaas et al. (2006: 174) the species’ distribution ranges from Thailand to the Philippines and south to Queensland, the New Hebrides ( Vanuatu) and New Caledonia.

Remarks: This is the first record of this species from Fiji. To restrict the type locality of Chiton reticulatus Nierstrasz, 1905 the figured syntype (ZMA Moll. 3.05.056) is herein designated the lectotype ( Figures 4B–C ), while a second syntype from the Siboga Station 93 ( Philippines, Sulu Archipelago, Tawi-Tawi Islands, Pulu Sanguisiapo [04°57’29’’N 119°49’55’’E], 12 m, Lithotamnion-bottom, sand and coral) becomes the paralectotype ZMA Moll. 3.05.0 55.

Figures

FIGURE 4. A – C, Chiton (Rhyssoplax) pulcherrimus Sowerby, 1842. A, Chiton (Rhyssoplax) pulcherrimus Sowerby, 1842, ZISP: Fiji, Vekai Island [17 ° 34 ’ S 178 ° 49 ’ W], Callisto St. 95. right lateral view. B – C, lectotype of Chiton reticulatus Nierstrasz, 1905 ZMA Moll. 3.05. 0 56, Indonesia, Sulawesi Selatan, near the North point of Pulau Selayar (Siboga Station 213). B, dorsal view of the anterior portion. C, dorsal view of the posterior portion. D, Chiton (Rhyssoplax) subassimilis Souverbie in Souverbie & Montrouzier, 1866, ZSM Mol 20061910: Fiji, Viti Levu, Laucala Bay, South side of Laucala Island, inner side of fringing reef, east of Nukulau Island (" Prison Island "); 18 ° 10.045 ' S 178 ° 31.837 ' E, dorsal view. E – F, Chiton (Tegulaplax) hululensis (E. A. Smith in Gardiner, 1903). E, ZSM Mol 20061635: Fiji, Viti Levu, Laucala Bay, North of Makuluva Island, 18 ° 10.890 ' S 178 ° 30.587 ' E, dorsal view. F, habitat photograph of a specimen from the same locality as in fig. E. Scale bars A – E 2 mm, F unknown.