Stacked from 35 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 34 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Species ID
OC-SP-0002567
Discovered
Phylum
Mollusca
Species ID
OC-SP-0002567
Provisional Species Name
Mitrella sp_MNHN_IM_2000_40381
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Mitrella
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Neogastropoda
Family
Columbellidae
Genus
Mitrella
Taxonomic Remarks
Although this unique specimen is not in the best condition, it is clearly different from all other Mitrella from the region. There is a possibility that this is a washed down specimen with a highly different bathymetrical range. The only other deeper water Mitrella with multispiral protoconch from the New Caledonian region are Mitrella cuspidata Lussi, 2009 and Mitrella jayi Monsecour & Monsecour, 2016, both are much bigger, have a protoconch and teleoconch with more whorls, have a more elongate and less rounded aperture and a denticulate inside of the outer lip. Mitrella nainai Monsecour & Monsecour, 2018 from the Society Islands is smaller, has a thinner more translucent shell, different teleoconch whorl proportions with a more elongate spire and less rounded whorls, a more round aperture and less basal cords which do not reach higher than the adapical end of the columella. The new species seems most related to species of the Mitrella moleculina (Duclos, 1840) group, from moderate depths. It differs from M. moleculina by its smaller size, lower number of protoconch and teleoconch whors, the more rounded whorls, the lack of denticles on both the inside of the outer lip and on the columella. M. philia has a paucispiral protoconch, much straighter whorls, a deeper incised suture and also denticles on the inside of the outer lip.
Discovery registered on
01/04/2026
Description of Material
Shell of moderate size for the genus, adult size up to 4.2 mm; fusifom, elongate. Whorls rounded. Suture slightly incised. Protoconch multispiral, consisting of about 2.4 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch very weak. Teleoconch consisting of about 3.3 whorls. Axial sculpture absent. Spiral sculpture consisting of a narrow subsutural spiral band and of the basal cords which reach to about half height of the parietal callus. Aperture average width for the genus, about 43% of shell height. Outside of outer lip with a thick axial rib sloping to the aperture and with the continuation of the basal cords on the abapical end. Inside of outer lip without a clear sinus and non denticulate. Columellar callus clearly present, not raised, with a rim with some semi-merged denticles on the abapical side. Parietal callus clearly present. Siphonal canal short, open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls off-white, with some cream irregular markings. Aperture and columella white. Protoconch off-white with some cream near the nucleus. Height of holotype: 4.2 mm
Ecology
Species with a multispiral protoconch so most likely a species with a veliger stadium. As the only specimen so far known is in a long dead state, the bathymetrical range of this species is doubtfull, most likely a washed down specimen.
Distribution
MNHN Spanbios expedition: New Caledonia, Loyalty Ridge, DW5248, 18°36,2’S, 164°23,4’E, 639-647m.
Scientific Name Authorship
Monsecour, Kevin
Stacked from 35 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 34 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
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