Parabuccinum eltanini (Dell 1990)

“Chlanidota eltanini n.sp. (Figs 290, 292, 297, 314)

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Eltanin Stns 557, 558, 1521.

DISTRIBUTION: Magellanic region in 419-866 m.

DESCRIPTION: Shell small for genus, fairly solid, white. Spire relatively narrow, tall for genus, 0.62 height of aperture, whorls evenly rounded. Last whorl considerably inflated. Protoconch dome-shaped, apex flattened, of 2 ½ smooth whorls. Sculpture on teleoconch whorls of low, wide, spiral ridges, 17 on penultimate, 38 on last whorl and base. Surface crossed by fine regular growth lines. Suture impressed. Aperture ovate, columella twisted, smooth. Fasciole well developed, clearly defined by steep ridge, abapical canal widely open.

Operculum ovate, thin, horny, nucleus spiral, subterminal, height 0.6 times height of the aperture. Radula (Fig. 297) typical for Chlanidota.

MEASUREMENTS: See Table 17.

HOLOTYPE: from Eltanin Stn 558, in National Museum of Natural History (USNM 860124).

PARATYPES: from Eltanin Stns 557 (2, USNM 860126), 558 (2, USNM 860125) and 1521 (2, USNM 860127) in National Museum of Natural History and from Stn 558 (one, MF.56613) and Stn 1521 (one, MF.56614) in National Museum of New Zealand.

REMARKS: Chlanidota eltanini differs from all the previously known species of Chlanidota in its relatively small size, its less inflated whorls, and its delicate spiral sculpture.”

(Dell, 1990: 184-185)

Excerpt from Table 17. Measurements and shell ratios of species of Chlanidota.

H (mm)

D (mm)

D/H ratio

C. eltanini

holotype

13.6

8.7

64

Eltanin Stn 557

15.2

9.8

64

Eltanin Stn 558

15.7

9.2

59