Genus Profundiconus Kuroda, 1956 (Gastropoda, Conoidea): Morphological and molecular studies, with the description of five new species from the Solomon Islands and New Caledonia
Author
Tenorio, Manuel J.
Author
Castelin, Magalie
text
European Journal of Taxonomy
2016
2016-01-29
173
1
45
journal article
30689
10.5852/ejt.2016.173
4ef654c0-9c9e-46c4-9e1a-ac58220a14ff
1182495
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:55807BF8-D984-42C1-B039-F3EBD8EB2C13
Figs 12A–J
,
13A–D
,
14
Conus ikedai
–
Poppe 2008
: pl. 615, fig. 1a–b (non
C. ikedai
Ninomiya, 1987
).
Conus smirna
–
Marshall 1981
: 499, fig. 3j (non
C. smirna
Bartsch & Rehder, 1943
).
Conus
sp. C
–
Röckel
et al.
1995b
: 585, fig. 49.
Profundiconus
n. sp. g
. –
Puillandre
et al.
2014
: Supplementary Material 1 (unfigured).
Etymology
This new species is dedicated to Dr. Nicolas Puillandre, mollusc curator at the MNHN. Dr. Puillandre has a long and outstanding trajectory in the study of the phylogeny of the
Conoidea
. The naming of the new species after him recognises his important contributions to the taxonomy of
Conoidea
at the molecular level.
Type material examined
Holotype
NEW CALEDONIA
: 43.2 × 18.0 mm,
R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 1 Expedition, st. DW 1707, Banc Jumeau Est, Norfolk Ridge
,
23°43' S
,
168°16' E
,
381–493 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30771
;
Fig. 12
A
).
Paratypes
NEW CALEDONIA
: 39.6 ×
17.3 mm
,
R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2072, Banc Aramis, Norfolk Ridge
,
25°21' S
,
168°57' E
,
1000–1006
m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30772
;
paratype
1;
Fig. 12B
);
40.7 ×
16.8 mm
, R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2
Expedtion
, st. DW 2077,
Banc Zorro
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
25°21' S
,
168°19' E
,
666–1000 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30773
;
paratype
2;
Fig. 12
C
)
;
35.0 ×
15.5 mm
, R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2068,
Banc Porthos
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
25°20' S
,
168°57' E
,
680–980 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30774
;
paratype
3;
Fig. 12D
)
;
31.7 ×
13.2 mm
, R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2066,
Banc Athos
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
25°17' S
,
168°55' E
,
834–870 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000- 30775
;
paratype
4;
Fig. 12E, H
)
;
43.6 ×
18.1 mm
, R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2074,
Banc Zorro
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
25°24' S
,
168°20' E
,
623–691 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30776
;
paratype
5;
Fig.
12F
)
;
57.3 ×
24.6 mm
, R/V
Alis
, EXBODI Expedition, st. DW 3907,
Récifs de l’Astrolabe-Nord Ouest
,
19°50' S
,
165°33' E
,
608–671 m
(
MNHN
IM-2009-31320
;
paratype
6;
Fig. 12G
; GenBank accession number (
cox1
sequence):
KT874752
)
;
45.2 ×
18.5 mm
, R/V
Alis
, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2054,
Banc Jumeau Est
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
23°40' S
,
168°15' E
,
736–800 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000- 30778
;
paratype
7;
Fig.
12I
)
;
44.8 ×
18.2 mm
, R/V
Alis
, BATHUS 3 Expedition, st. DW 776,
Loyalty Ridge
,
24°44' S
,
170°08' E
,
770–830 m
(
MNHN
IM-2000-30779
;
paratype
10)
;
49.9 ×
21.6 mm
, R/V
Alis
, TERRASSES Expedition, st. DW 3045, Mont J,
Ride des Loyautés
,
23°48' S
,
169°46' E
,
660– 710 m
(
MNHN
IM-2009-18221
;
paratype
11; GenBank accession number (
cox1
sequence):
KJ550484
)
;
37.0 ×
17.2 mm
, R/V
Alis
, BATHUS 3 Expedition, st. DW 776,
Loyalty Ridge
,
24°44' S
,
170°08' E
,
770–830 m
(
MNCN
15.05/60171
;
paratype
12)
.
NEW
ZEALAND
: 38.9 ×
17.5 mm
, R/V
Tangaroa
, st. K861, Kermadec Ridge,
30°36.5' S
,
178°22.5' W
,
1030 m
(
NIWA
99587;
paratype
8;
Fig. 12J
); 44.9 ×
19.5 mm
, R/V
Tangaroa
, st. K831, Kermadec Ridge,
29°51.5' S
,
178°10.5' W
,
965 m
(
NIWA
99588;
paratype
9).
Type locality
NEW CALEDONIA
:
Banc Jumeau Est
,
Norfolk Ridge
,
381–493 m
,
23°43' S
,
168°16' E
(NORFOLK 1 st. DW1707).
Other material examined
NEW
CALEDONIA
: 33.2 ×
14.8 mm
, R/V “Alis”, NORFOLK 2 Expedition, st. DW 2057, Banc Introuvable, Norfolk Ridge,
24°40' S
,
168°39' E
,
555–565 m
(
MNHN
IM-
2007-34865; GenBank accession number (
cox1
sequence):
KJ550262
). Note: This specimen, matching the
holotype
, was photographed (http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/im/2007-34865) and sequenced, but the shell was destroyed in the process and is no longer available.
Additionally, we examined 31 more specimens from 15 uncataloged
MNHN
lots collected at several stations in Norfolk Ridge and Loyalty Ridge,
New Caledonia
, by the R/V “Alis” in the course of several campaigns. Several specimens of shells in private collections collected in Balut Is.,
Philippines
at
100– 150 m
, showing the conchological features of
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
, were also examined.
Description
Morphometric parameters: S L =
29–57 mm
; RD = 0.53–0.62; RSH = 0.22–0.29; PMD = 0.81–0.90.
Shell moderately small to medium sized (maximum length 57.0 mm). Shell profile ventricosely conical, with high spire. Spire profile sigmoid to slightly concave. Protoconch multispiral, with 3–3.5 whorls, white to yellow-brown. Last whorl of larval shell shows minute axial ridges. Early teleoconch whorls with nodules which are often indistinct after whorls 5 to 6, but may persist, forming nodulose ridge reaching shoulder on last whorl. Sutural ramp flat to slightly concave, with very fine striae and arcuate threads becoming obsolete in late whorls. Shoulder with distinct ridge, usually smooth, although nodulose or even strongly nodulose in some specimens. Last whorl with convex sides adapically, then almost straight and slightly concave abapically. Last whorl smooth or with very fine striae becoming more evident towards base. Spire and last whorl patternless, white to pale straw-yellow in colour. Columella white. Aperture pale yellow or white. Periostracum yellow, thin and translucent. Operculum with serrations.
Fig. 12.
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
A
. Holotype, 43.2 × 18.0 mm.
B
. Paratype 1, 39.6 × 17.3 mm.
C
. Paratype 2, 40.7 × 16.8 mm.
D
. Paratype 3, 35.0 × 15.5 mm.
E
. Paratype 4, 43.6 × 18.1 mm.
F
. Paratype 5, 43.6 × 18.1 mm.
G
. Paratype 6, 57.3 × 24.6 mm.
H
. Paratype 4, enlargement of the spire.
I
. Paratype 7, 45.2 × 18.5 mm.
J
. Paratype 8, 38.9 × 17.5 mm. Scale bars = 10 mm unless otherwise indicated.
Radular tooth examined in
holotype
(
Fig. 13A
), in
paratypes
3 (
Fig. 13B–D
), 6 and 9, and in an additional non-type specimen. 48 to 62 teeth in radular sac. Radular tooth small for size of shell: its total length relative to shell length S L /T L = 75–105. Anterior portion shorter than posterior section of tooth (T L/AP L = 3.1–3.6). With one barb and pointed blade which covers 50–62% of anterior portion of tooth. External cusp present, extending between 64 and 90% of length of anterior portion of tooth. External cusp laterally widened and serrated, with 4–5 small denticles. Large adapical opening occupying most of anterior portion of tooth (100AO L/AP L = 64–75). Fringe of closely spaced projections pointing towards apex immediately below waist. Shaft fold present. Large and prominent basal spur on top of slanted base of tooth.
Distribution and habitat
New Caledonia
(Norfolk Ridge and Loyalty Ridge) and
New Zealand
(Kermadec Ridge), at depths from
380 to 1100 m
(
Fig. 14
). Several empty shells matching
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
from Balut Is., Mindanao,
Philippines
, have been examined. The identity of these specimens from the
Philippines
(allocated in several private collections) could not be confirmed by radular or molecular studies, but the conchological features seem consistent with the identification of these specimens (often labelled as
Conus
cf.
ikedai
, or
Conus darkini
“albinistic”) as
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
This is a feasible possibility given the multispiral protoconch of this species (suggesting a planktonic larval development), and might represent a significant range extension to the
Philippines
.
Fig. 13.
Radular teeth extracted from
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
A
. Optical photomicrograph (holotype, MNHN IM-2000-30771, S L 43.2 mm).
B
. SEM photomicrograph (paratype 3, MNHN IM-2000-30774, S L 35.0 mm).
C
. Enlargement of the external cusp.
D
. Enlargement of the middle section of B.
Remarks
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
has been dredged alive from
1030–1180 m
off Curtis Island, Kermadec Ridge,
New Zealand
(identified as
Conus smirna
; see
Marshall 1981
). This observation makes this species one of the deepest-living ones among the known cone snails.
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
was initially identified as “giant”
P. vaubani
(
Fig.
1I
). Apart from being smaller in size,
P. vaubani
has a paucispiral protoconch of 1.75 whorls and a ridge at the shoulder with axial costae, which are absent in the case of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
The shell pattern of
P. vaubani
consists of light brown axial streaks from base to spire, whereas the shell of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
is patternless. The radular teeth of
P. vaubani
(
Fig. 2A–C
) and
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
(
Fig. 13
) are superficially similar, but the tooth of
P. vaubani
has a much larger relative size, with S L/T L = 27–31 compared to 75–105 for
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
The new species can also be compared with
P. profundorum
(
Fig. 1A, L
) and
P. smirnoides
(
Fig. 1D
). Like
P. puillandrei
sp. nov
, these two species have multispiral protoconchs.There are no significant differences in shell shape among these species: ANCOVA for MD, HMD and SH, using species hypothesis as a factor and S L as covariate, did not yield statistically significant results. However, they differ significantly in average shell length:
puillandrei
S L
39.82 mm
,
profundorum
S L
96.93 mm
(t = 10.28, p = 2.13 × 10-12; U = 0, p = 5.15 × 10-7),
smirnoides
S L
76.09 mm
(t = -10.20, p = 5.25 × 10-10; U = 0, p = 2.5 × 10-5).
Fig. 14.
Distribution map for
Profundiconus puillandrei
sp. nov.
Red circles indicate the points where the species has been collected.
The shell of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
has a distinct shoulder ridge, usually smooth but some times nodulose, which is absent in
P. profundorum
and less developed and always smooth in
P. smirnoides
. The shell of
P.puillandrei
sp.nov.
is patternless, whereas both
P.profundorum
and
P. smirnoides
exhibit a characteristic pattern of broad, pale brown spiral bands on each side of centre, often interrupted by creamy white axial streaks in the case of
P. smirnoides
. The morphology of the radular tooth of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
(
Fig. 13
) and of
P. smirnoides
(
Fig. 9H
) is very different. The radular tooth of
P. profundorum
is unknown, preventing its comparison with the tooth of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
Most of the shells of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
examined were not nodulose at the shoulder ridge (
Fig. 12
). About 10% of the specimens studied had a nodulose spire and shoulder ridge (i.e.,
paratype
6,
Fig. 12G
), coming mainly from Loyalty Ridge. These include two of the sequenced individuals, which, however, were genetically similar to the ones with a smooth ridge. Moreover, nodulose and non-nodulose specimens exhibit analogous radular and protoconch morphology. The presence of nodules at the spire and shoulder causes an apparent difference in shape, which is possibly the main source of intraspecific phenotypic variability within this species. Nodulose specimens may resemble a small
P. teramachii
(e.g.,
paratype
6,
Fig. 12G
), a distinct but related species as inferred from the tree in
Fig. 5
. The shell of
P. teramachii
is also patternless and has a ground colour and protoconch morphology similar to that of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
The radular tooth of
P. teramachii
(
Fig. 2D–F
) is also similar to that of
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
(
Fig. 13
). However,
P. teramachii
attains a larger size (S L =
55–111 mm
), has a lower spire (RSH 0.11–0.22 versus
0.22–0.29 in
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
) and usually exhibits a broadly carinate shoulder.
P. puillandrei
sp. nov.
is phylogenetically related to
P. neotorquatus
stat. nov.
,
P. neocaledonicus
sp. nov.
,
P.teramachii
and
P. smirnoides
.