Species ID
OC-SP-0002880
Discovered
Phylum
Mollusca
Species ID
OC-SP-0002880
Provisional Species Name
Terebra frederiquesteenae sp_MNHN-IM-2000-40303
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Terebra
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Embargo End Date
08/04/2027
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Neogastropoda
Family
Terebridae
Genus
Terebra
Date Identified
01/11/2025
Taxonomic Remarks
Little variation can be noted among the studied specimens, apart from the variable brown hue covering the entirety of the shell. T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov. belongs to the complex of taxa surrounding T. commaculata, included here is T. cossignanii Aubry, 2008. Here several discriminative features and notes are listed separating these taxa from T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov. T. commaculata is known from the Indian subcontinent eastwards to as far South as the Moluccas, it can attain a unique patterned shell with maximum lengths of more than 150 mm, making it one of the most recognizable and iconic species of Terebridae. The species has an identical protoconch to the one of T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov., has a markedly narrower apical angle, concave whorls with a protruding doubled subsutural band which remains nodulated for about double the number of whorls as in T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov. The sculpture on the remainder of the whorl is finer and thinner, gradually evolving from 4 rows of nodules into 4 ribs crossed by equally coarse axials, giving in most cases reticulated sculpture. Further development of the doubled subsutural band is similar as on T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov., yet at almost twice the shell length. Long shelled terebrids are particularly prone to disproportionate repair-consequences which greatly affect the evolution of the apical angle and sculpture, leading to a high variability in sculpture and apical angle. T. cossignanii, although described from the Philippines, has in fact not been confirmed from there despite intensive efforts. The species was none the less at one time abundantly caught off Nha Tarang (Vietnam) by commercial fishermen. More detailed information on the localities and habitat is not known. In most cases, only heavily batter and completely white specimens are known. Apart from this feature, the characteristics of the species are virtually identical to those of T. commaculata. The validity of the taxon remains debatable but is here conservatively regarded as valid and separable based on its pure white coloration of the shell only, setting it thus well apart from T. cossignanii and T. frederiquesteenae sp. nov.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
08/04/2026
Description of Material
Description (holotype): Shiny white, elongated and inflated protoconch of about 2.0 with medium nucleus. Transition to protoconch abrupt with the appearance of a nodulated subsutural band and 4 spiral rows of equally sized close-set nodules rapidly evolving into the mature sculptural composition. Overall base color generally white to off-white with regularly spaced and formed arcuate and elongated flammules of dark brown, from suture to suture, fading on the subsutural band on mature whorls. Outline of whorls straight, with minorly protruding subsutural band and a mirrored band directly adapically. Axial sculpture from suture to suture, consisting of arcuate growth ribblets, coalescing with the spiral sculpture at the intersections. Spiral sculpture on the subsutural band consisting of round nodules on the earlier teleoconch whorl, becoming rapidly and increasingly flatted and axially elongated, separated by the minor arcuate axial incisions. The sculpture is doubled below the subsutural band, although the band is somewhat smaller and less pronounced than the actual subsutural band; separated from one another by a continuous, microscopically punctate furrow. Spiral sculpture on the remainder of the whorl of the first teleoconch whorl of 3 rows of close-set or coalescing nodules, rapidly becoming single bands separated by a deep groove which appears punctate because of the intersecting axials. Predominantly spiral sculpture below the periphery. Columella straight with a transversely sculptured plica, aperture elongate and long. Derivatio nominis: The species is named in honor of Dr Frédérique Steen, biologist at the Research Institute of Nature and Forest, specialized in invasive species for the Flemish region and an authority of the various facets of invasive crayfish in Flemish waters, for her positive contribution to the discussion of ‘negative space’ or ‘white space’ in geometric forms, philosophy, complex data, human interactions and coincidently in the circumscription of the white/brown-pattern of the new species.
Distribution
Type locality. Indonesia, Sumbawa, off Bungin, 3-5 m. Distribution. Only known from off Sumbawa (Indonesia) and the Honiara area (Solomon islands) at shallow depths.
Scientific Name Authorship
Terryn, Yves
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