3217
Author
Raines, Bret
Author
Huber, Markus
text
Zootaxa
2012
2012-02-29
3217
1
106
journal article
11755334
Cratis kanekoi
Hayami & Kase, 1993
Figures 10 A–G
Cratis kanekoi
Hayami & Kase, 1993
: p. 36
, figs. 103–110.
Cratis kanekoi
Hayami & Kase, 1993
—
Hayami & Kase, 1996
: p. 61
;
Okutani, 2000
: p. 861
, pl. 428, fig. 2;
Tröndlé & Boutet, 2009
: p. 5
.
Material examined.
Eleven single valves from
SyG
, and one badly worn valve from
EI
(
1.8 to 2.77 mm
) (BK).
Diagnosis.
Shell small (up to
2.77 mm
in height), polygonal-ovate, thick and not fragile. Umbones located anteriorly, with a large, hat-shaped prodissoconch which is characterized by a low conical central base and coarsely frilled brim margin, ca. 260 µm length and 250 µm height. Exterior surface with 7–9 beaded radial ribs crossed by regular commarginal lamellae. Intervals between ribs are broadly concave.
Interior
margin with a few strongly marked interlocking tubercles restricted to postero-ventral area. Hinge consisting of a large tubercular tooth in the anterior of each valve and numerous perpendicular denticles placed dorsally and interrupted by the ligament, resulting in a row of anterior and posterior denticles. Color translucent white and sparse orange blotches in adults.
Remarks.
From the ten described philobryid genera,
Cratis
matches well by exhibiting the strong cap, clear dentition, trigonal ligament pit, dorsal denticles and pinctadoid shape. The sculpture of the
EI
material, however, is less beaded than in the
type
species and in most of the congeners. Internally, the posteroventrally 4–5 marked interlocking tubercles are similarly found in
Cratis delicata
Bergmans, 1970
, which, has a very distinct hinge and dentition. The
type
species
C. progressa
has similar tubercles also placed anteroventrally, and a much stronger dentition as well as a strong, narrowly beaded sculpture.
Nothing known from the Hawaiian Islands resembles this species, and from the nine described Pacific
Cratis
species
, only one merits close comparison, namely,
C. kanekoi
Hayami & Kase, 1993
, from Miyako Island. All other species are at once separated by sculpture and/or stronger dentition and/or missing or additional tubercles.
Cratis kanekoi
is identical in shape and in sculpture with widely spaced radials and lamellate commarginals. Position and sculpture of the cap are indistinguishable. Internally, the posterodorsal tubercles are very similarly arranged. At first glance the hinges seem to differ in that the tooth socket is placed left or posterior to the large cardinal of the scarce Okinawan material. However, in the numerous
EI
and
SyG
material studied both conditions were encountered, with the socket placed left or right of the prominent tubercular tooth. This is consistent with
Tevesz’s (1977: 15)
observation of high intraspecific variability of the
Cratis
dentition. Thus, no significant morphological differences to
C. kanekoi
remain.
The
EI
and
SyG
material, however, does provide
C. kanekoi
a new maximum size of
2.77 mm
, variability in position of cardinal tooth and socket, as well as an additional feature in adult specimens, that it is occasionally being found with orange blotches. The availability of the material also suggests it has a more common occurrence than originally recorded by
Hayami and Kase (1993)
.
Habitat.
Apparently common from
SyG
, but less so on
EI
, in sand, from
20 m
.
Distribution.
Cratis kanekoi
was originally described from
Okinawa
, but has been recorded from the Society Islands and the Tuamotu Archipelago as well. Easter and Salas y Gómez Islands are now considered a range extension—
E4
.