“PROSIPHO TOMLINI n. sp., Pl. I, Fig. 5.
Prosipho madigani: Tomlini, 1948, p. 229, (not of Hedley, 1916).
Prosipho n. sp.: Powell, 1955, p 102.
This species resembles the Antarctic Commonwealth Bay shell but is relatively broader, has a considerably shorter spire and three instead if four spiral cords on the spire-whorls.
Hedley’s dimensions for madigani, 13.5 mm. × 4.3 mm., are not consistent with the proportions shown in the well-drawn illustration. The following figures represent the proportion of the diameter into the total height for (a) madigani, on recorded dimensions 3.14, (b) on measurements from the illustration 2.13, and (c) tomlini 1.80 to 1.85.
Shell large for the genus, broadly fusiform, shouldered dull white and covered with a thin buff epidermis. Whorls about 5 or 5½, protoconch smooth, initial whorl missing. Spire considerably less than height of aperture plus canal. Sculpture consisting of flat-topped sharply raised spiral keels. On the spire-whorls a broad concave shoulder occupies the upper third of the whorl height, below it are three equi-spaced keels, the uppermost at the shoulder angle and the lowest just above the lower suture. On the base there are eight additional keels to the fasciole, which bears five or six weak spiral cords. The surface of the post-nuclear whorls bears numerous fine crisp growth lines.
In the paratype first one and then another cord develop over the latter part of the penultimate and these gain in strength so that finally the shoulder keel is preceded by two others, just as strong, immediately above it. This feature is probably an abnormality caused by an injury or obstruction.
Height 13.0 mm.; diameter 7.0 mm. (Holotype).
Height 13.5 mm.; diameter 7.25 mm. (Paratype).
HOLOTYPE: British Museum (Natural History).
Banzare Locality: Station 83.”
(Powell, 1957: 142)
