Drepanodontus Harasewych & Kantor 2004

“Drepanodontus new genus

Type Species: Drepanodontus tatyanae new species, by original designation.

Description: Protoconch eroded. Shell large (to 56 mm), thin, strongly fusiform, with long, broad, open si­phonal canal. Early whorls straight to concave, subse­quently becoming convex. Whorls lacking shoulder, final whorl evenly convex from suture to distinct peripheral cord, evenly concave from peripheral cord to tip of si­phonal canal. Sculpture of axial growth lines, most pro­nounced on early whorls, and strong, evenly spaced spi­ral cords. Aperture large, narrow, elliptical. Outer lip not reflected. Parietal region broad posteriorly, columella shorter than siphonal fold. Periostracum lamellose. Operculum large (~0.82 AL), oval, thin, translucent, with terminal nucleus. Head medium-sized, with short, stout tentacles, large eyes. Kidney large. Buccal mass small, odontophoral cartilages short. Rachidian teeth variable, tricuspid, cusps may be fused to appear mon­ocuspid, or supplemental denticles or cusps may be pre­sent in some specimens. Lateral teeth with single, large, sickle-shaped cusp that may have one or more denticles. Salivary glands not fused, right gland much larger than left. Gland of Leiblein long, glandular anteriorly, taper­ing, flaccid posteriorly. Oesophagus broadens to form crop, constricts before entering very large, U-shaped stomach that lacks posterior mixing area.

Etymology: Drepane (Gr.)—sickle, odontos (Gr.)—tooth. The name reflects the very unusual sickle shape of the lateral teeth, consisting of a long, narrow basal plate with a single, long, recurved outer cusp, often with one or more denticles along its inner edge.”

(Harasewych & Kantor, 2004: 7)