Stacked from 27 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 22 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Species ID
OC-SP-0002561
Discovered
Phylum
Mollusca
Species ID
OC-SP-0002561
Provisional Species Name
Ascalista compacta
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Ascalista
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Neogastropoda
Family
Columbellidae
Genus
Ascalista
Taxonomic Remarks
Until now the genus Ascalista had only three members. The first species is the widespread Indo-Pacific Ascalista polita (G. & H. Nevill, 1875), which can easily be distinguished from the new species by its slightly bigger size, more elongated shell, multispiral protoconch and higher number of teleoconch whorls. The second species is Ascalista letourneuxi Monsecour & Monsecour, 2015 (figs xxx) from the Austral Islands, French Polynesia. However, this species is slightly larger, more elongate, with a more bulbous protoconch, a higher number of teleoconch whorls and a more straight aperture. The third species is Ascalista saipanensis Monsecour & Raines, 2024 from Saipan, Northern Marianas, which differs from the new species by its more elongate shell shape, much straighter whorls and aperture, smooth rim on the inside of the outer lip and weaker sinus.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
01/04/2026
Description of Material
Shell of rather small size for the genus, up to 3.0 mm; biconical, elongate. Rather straight whorls. Suture slightly impressed. Protoconch paucispiral, of about 1.5 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch clearly visible. Teleoconch of 3.2–3.3 whorls; Axial sculpture absent. Spiral sculpture absent, apart from the basal cords, which are clearly present on last whorl, extending to mid-apertural height. Virtually there seems to be a subsutural cord present, but this is only deeper lying shell structure shining through. Aperture very narrow, elongate, 52-53% of shell height. Outer lip thickened, bearing continuations of basal cords on abapical end. Inside of outer lip, with a clear rim of merged denticles and a sinus on adapical end. Columellar callus with raised edge, inside not denticulate, but with the structure of the basal cords coming through the callus, deeper inside there is a groove a about mid-columellar height. Parietal callus clearly present. Siphonal canal very short, half-open, slightly recurved. Teleoconch whorls semi-translucent cream on the first whorls to off-white on the last whorl with a white subsutural band. Just below this white band there is a zone with paired brown axial dashes. On the last whorl there is a weak pattern of brown wavy lines below these dashes. Basal cords white. Aperture and columella white. Protoconch cream with some brown near the nucleus, not-translucent.
Ecology
Direct developing species with paucispiral protoconch, so non planctotrophic larvae. Most likely endemic.
Distribution
MNHN SAYA expedition: Saya de Malha: stn YR21, 10°44’S, 62°00,8’E, 47m, 1 dd; stn YS20, 11°54’S, 62°00,4’E, 47m, 7 dd (incl pictured paratype)
Scientific Name Authorship
Monsecour, Kevin
Stacked from 27 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 22 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
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