An annotated catalogue and bibliography of the taxonomy, synonymy and distribution of the Recent Vetigastropoda of South Africa (Mollusca)
Author
Herbert, David G.
text
Zootaxa
2015
4049
1
1
98
journal article
39355
10.11646/zootaxa.4049.1.1
13ce6790-fb60-4602-b68b-6d06c9f011e9
1175-5326
245367
A8BD434E-9A7C-40A5-BDDE-D45356517FF3
Choristella
sp.—new record
Distribution.
A single empty, somewhat damaged shell has been dredged on the Agulhas Bank (off Cape St Francis, E. Cape),
210 m
.
Notes.
The fragile, smooth, globose, white shell, with a deeply channelled suture and distinct umbilical carina indicate that this material is referable to
Choristella
. The specimen also resembles
Trenchia agulhasae
(
Clarke, 1961
)
[
Seguenzioidea
incertae sedis
(
McLean 1992
;
Kano
et al
. 2009
)], but that species occurs at abyssal depths and is smaller than the present specimen (diameter 3.0 mm vs. 4.5 mm). It also has a basal carina in addition to the umbilical carina. The poor quality of the specimen does not permit more in-depth evaluation, but I mention it to draw attention to the probable occurrence of
Choristella
in South African waters. Living specimens are to be sought inside spent egg cases of elasmobranch fish, where they feed on the inner layers of the capsule.