New species and genus of Columbellidae (Gastropoda: Buccinoidea) from the Western Pacific Author Monsecour, Kevin Research Associate, Institute of Systematics, Evolution, Biodiversity, National Museum of Natural History, CNRS, SU, EPHE, UA, CP 51, 57 rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris, France Author Raines, Bret K. Research Associate, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90007 USA text Zootaxa 2024 2024-09-30 5514 4 353 367 http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5514.4.4 journal article 304544 10.11646/zootaxa.5514.4.4 5dd0e92b-7f9a-419b-b1cb-91a5be1fff9d 1175-5326 13914667 D3DFC235-965D-47EB-ADE4-E8BF8EDF59C0 Ascalista saipanensis sp. nov. Figures 1 A–F Type Material. Holotype LACM 2709 , 1 Paratype CKM , 1 Paratype MSF fa175 . Type Locality. Northern Mariana Islands , Saipan , The Grotto , 15.2702 o N , 145.8346 o E , 30 m deep. Distribution. Currently only known from the type locality. Description. Shell of moderate size for genus, up to 3.3 mm ; biconical, elongate. Protoconch paucispiral, bulbous, of 1.4–1.5 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch indistinct. Teleoconch of 3.2–3.3 flattened whorls; suture slightly impressed. Surface smooth apart from basal cords, clearly present on last whorl, extending to mid-apertural height. Aperture very narrow, elongate, 45–50% of shell height. Outer lip slightly thickened, bearing continuations of basal cords on abapical end. Inside not denticulate, with clear, smooth rim and weak sinus on adapical end. Columellar callus with pronounced sharp edge, inside not denticulate. Parietal callus weak. Siphonal canal very short, half-open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls translucent, off-white, with network of faint brown axial zigzag lines; band of irregular white spots just below suture. Similar band, with smaller white spots, just above suture, continuing at mid-height of last whorl. Additional band of white spots just above basal cords on last whorl. Protoconch white to off-white. Aperture and columella white. Radula not studied. Height of holotype : 3.3 mm . Remarks. Until now the genus Ascalista had been known by only two members: the widespread Indo-Pacific species Ascalista polita (G. & H. Nevill, 1875 ) (figs 1 I–J), and Ascalista letourneuxi Monsecour & Monsecour, 2015 (figs 1 G–H) from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia . Ascalista saipanensis can easily be distinguished from A. polita by its wider shape and paucispiral protoconch. Ascalista saipanensis is distinguished from A. letourneuxi as well by its smaller size, narrower teleoconch and less bulbous protoconch. Etymology. Latin adjective formed from the type locality, Saipan .