Stacked from 42 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 38 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Species ID
OC-SP-0002562
Discovered
Phylum
Mollusca
Species ID
OC-SP-0002562
Provisional Species Name
Graphicomassa paucispira
Lowest Valid Taxon Name in WoRMS
Graphicomassa
Lowest Known Rank
Genus
Status
Discovered
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Embargo
No
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Mollusca
Class
Gastropoda
Order
Neogastropoda
Family
Columbellidae
Genus
Graphicomassa
Taxonomic Remarks
This species is closest to G. margarita (Reeve, 1859) originally described from Hawaii, but with a wide distribution troughout the Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, this species is reported from Mauritius and Reunion (Drivas & Jay, 1990) and Madagascar (upublished data MNHN). The new species can be distinguished at once from G. margarita by its paucispiral protoconch with rather wide diameter whereas G. margarita has a multispiral protoconch with a much smaller diameter. G. margarita also has a higher number of teleoconch whorls and is slightly bigger. The new species differs from G. hanleyi (Deshayes, 1863) another Graphicomassa species reported from this region, by its smaller size, bigger protoconch, lower number of teleoconch whorls, presence of weak axial ribs on first teleoconch whorl and the different denticulation on both inside of outer lip and on columella.
Received All Minimal Data for Discovery
01/04/2026
Description of Material
Shell of rather small size for the genus, up to 6.6 mm; biconical, elongate. Rather straight whorls. Suture slightly impressed. Protoconch paucispiral, of about 1.5 smooth whorls. Transition to teleoconch clearly visible. Teleoconch of about 5 whorls; Axial sculpture present on the early teleoconch whorls and consisting of rather weak axial ribs with interspaces about the same width as the ribs. On the second teleoconch whorl, these ribs are getting very weak and eventually disappear further on this whorl. Spiral sculpture absent, apart from the basal cords, which are clearly present on last whorl, extending to just below the adapical end of the columella. Aperture of moderate width and about 47% of shell height. Outer lip clearly thickened, bearing continuations of basal cords on abapical end. Inside of outer lip without a clear sinus and with a row of about 9 denticles. Most adapical denticle rather week, next three denticles more pronounced, five most abapical ones weak. Columellar callus with raised edge, inside there is a rim of semi-merged denticles close to the edge. Parietal callus weak. Siphonal canal very short, half-open, slightly recurved. Early teleoconch whorls white to beige. Later whorls off-white with a pattern of white cloudy spots and fine brown interrupted axial zigzag lies. Most adapical basal cords with weak continuation of these brown lines, lower basal cords white. Aperture and columella white. Protoconch white. Height of holotype: 6.6 mm
Ecology
Direct developing species with paucispiral protoconch, so non planctotrophic larvae. Most likely endemic.
Distribution
MNHN SAYA expedition: Saya de Malha: stn YR22, 1°54’S, 62°00,4’E, 47m, 1 dd; Saint Brandon: stn YB05, 16°29’S, 59°42,7’E, 12m, 3 dd juv; stn YR26, 16°23,1’S, 59°38,5’E, 16m, 1 dd (holotype), 3 dd juv.
Scientific Name Authorship
Monsecour, Kevin
Stacked from 42 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
Stacked from 38 images. Method=B (R=8,S=4)
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