Talopena maestratii Herbert 2024, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Herbert, David G.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Mollusca
Gastropoda
Trochida
Trochidae
Talopena
Talopena maestratii

description: Talopena maestratii sp. nov.
urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: B3E16EEF-DA5E-415A-8C12-F51FBF6B38E9
Figs 39–43
Monilea cf. menkei – Héros et al. 2007: 209.
Diagnosis
Talopena maestratii sp. nov. is characterised by its relatively large and robust shell bearing crisp, evenly sized spiral cords with fine, close-set spiral microlirae in their intervals; cords undulant rather than beaded; parietal region with callus lobe at insertion of columella; thickened peri-umbilical band bears coarse pliculae and termination of umbilical funicle frequently yellow.
Etymology
Named for Philippe Maestrati (MNHN), in recognition of his enormous contribution to our knowledge of marine molluscan diversity, particularly in New Caledonia, through his many years of field work in the region, from Expédition Montrouzier (1993) to KOUMAC 2.3 (2019).
Material examined
Holotype (Fig. 39A–D) NEW CALEDONIA • empty shell; Koumac, Stn 942; 20°37′ S, 164°13′ E; depth 15 m; 28 Apr. 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN-IM-2000-38858.
Paratypes NEW CALEDONIA – Grande Terre, Poum • 1 specimen, living; Stn 1004; 20°10′ S, 163°58′ E; depth 15 m; 2 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN-IM-2000-38859. – Grande Terre, Koumac • 1 specimen, living; Stn KD518; 20°34.7′ S, 164°12.5′ E; depth 5–6 m; 1 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.: sable gris à Halophila; MNHN-IM-2000-38860 • 1 specimen, living; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1304; 20°38.6′ S, 164°13.2′ E; depth 12–15 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris, dalle; MNHN-IM-2000-38861 • 2 specimens, living; Stn KD578; 20°43.8′ S, 164°16.4′ E; depth 11–12 m; 19 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable fin gris à Halophila; DNA vouchers; MNHN-IM-2019-9731 and -9732 (image PM751). – Grande Terre, Nouméa • 2 specimens, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 546; 22°53′ S, 166°52′ E; depth 33 m; 15 Jul. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN-IM-2000-38862.
Other material
NEW CALEDONIA – Lagon Nord – Belep • 4 specimens, living; Lagon Nord, Stn 542; 19°06′ S, 163°10′ E; depth 50 m; 6 Mar. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Lagon Nord, Stn 1157; 19°10′ S, 163°10′ E; depth 48 m; 30 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Lagon Nord, Stn 1197; 19°36′ S, 163°22′ E; depth 41 m; 1 Nov. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, living; Stn 1094; 19°54′ S, 163°41′ E; depth 26 m; 24 Oct. 1989; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, dead; Stn 1063; 20°03′ S, 163°47′ E; depth 31 m; 23 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 1128; 19°31′ S, 163°52′ E; depth 26 m; 26 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 1072; 19°56′ S, 164°02′ E; depth 20 m; 23 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 1073; 20°00′ S, 164°03′ E; depth 28 m; 23 Oct. 1989; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Poum • 2 specimens, dead; Stn 1024; 20°06′ S, 163°50′ E; depth 26 m; 3 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, living; Stn 1027; 20°03′ S, 163°51′ E; depth 29 m; 3 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn 1015; 20°10′ S, 163°52′ E; depth 25 m; 3 May 1988; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn 1008; 20°11′ S, 163°53′ E; depth 27 m; 2 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 1010; 20°09′ S, 163°57′ E; depth 16 m; 3 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 989; 20°18′ S, 163°57′ E; depth 21 m; 30 Apr. 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 1019; 20°06′ S, 163°58′ E; depth 23–24 m; 3 May 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn 985; 20°20′ S, 163°58′ E; depth 15–17 m; 30 Apr. 1988; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Koumac • 2 specimens, living; Passe du Baron, Stn 1307; 20°33.7′ S, 164°10.3′ E; depth 12 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable à Heteropsammia; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1305; 20°36.2′ S, 164°11.0′ E; depth 12–15 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris; MNHN • 18 specimens, living; Chenal de l’Infernet, Stn 1304; 20°38.6′ S, 164°13.2′ E; depth 12–15 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris, dalle; MNHN • 3 specimens, living; around l’Îlot Kendec, Stn 1309; 20°40.5′ S, 164°13.4′ E; depth 18 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable gris; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; near Passe de Koumac, Stn KR627; 20°38.6′ S, 164°13.5′ E; depth 12 m; 24 Sep. 2018; KOUMAC 2.1 leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; drop-off of l’Îlot Kendec, Stn 1308; 20°40′ S, 164°15.2′ E; depth 15–20 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; dalle; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Passe Deverd, Stn 1322; 20°45.2′ S, 164°15.2′ E; depth 53–71 m; Oct. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable vaseux; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Stn KD578; 20°43.8′ S, 164°16.4′ E; depth 11–12 m; 19 Nov. 2019; KOUMAC 2.3 leg.; sable fin gris à Halophila; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Touho • 1 specimen, living; Grand Récif Mengalia, Stn 871; 20°36′ S, 165°00′ E; depth 27 m; 13 Jan. 1987; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Mengalia, Stn 866; 20°38′ S, 165°03′ E; depth 26 m; 13 Jan. 1987; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; parages de la Thiem, Stn 1268; 20°45.2′ S, 165°08.0′ E; depth 9–11 m; Sep. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; sable fin; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Mengalia, Stn 857; 20°36′ S, 165°09′ E; depth 31 m; 12 Jan. 1987; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; around Baie de Touho, Stn 1251; 20°46.0′ S, 165°13.0′ E; depth 6–15 m; Sep. 1993; Expédition Montrouzier leg.; vase, sable, herbiers; SEM; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Chenal de Touho, Stn 1261; 20°46.5′ S, 165°15.75′ E; depth 45–56 m; Sep.1993; Expédition Montrouzier; sable détritique; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Poindimié • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 765; 21°14′ S, 165°42′ E; depth 35 m; 8 Jan. 1987; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Canala • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 755; 21°12′ S, 165°48′ E; depth 43 m; 7 Jan. 1987; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 708; 21°24′ S, 166°05′ E; depth 34–35 m; 10 Aug. 1986; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Baie de St Vincent • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 218; 21°52′ S, 165°46′ E; depth 15 m; 21 Sep. 1984; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 217; 21°53′ S, 165°47′ E; depth 16 m; 21 Sep. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 199; 22°02′ S, 166°00′ E; depth 50 m; 19 Sep. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn 185; 22°05′ S, 166°02′ E; depth 15 m; 19 Sep. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Grande Terre, Nouméa • 1 specimen, living; Stn DE57; 22°10.6′ S, 166°07.1′ E; depth 18–19 m; 30 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn s/n; 22°17′ S, 166°08′ E; depth 10–30 m; Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 4; 22°23′ S, 166°21′ E; depth 9 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 14 specimens, living; Crouy; 22°21.5′ S, 166°21.7′ E; depth 1–6 m; 1990–2003; Claude Berthault leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 259; 22°20′ S, 166°22′ E; depth 18 m; 7 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn 3; 22°21′ S, 166°22′ E; depth 15 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 253; 22°22′ S, 166°23′ E; depth 16 m; 7 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn DE66; 22°21.5′ S, 166°23.4′ E; depth 23 m; 30 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 2; 22°19′ S, 166°24′ E; depth 14 m; 21 May 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn 281; 22°24′ S, 166°24′ E; depth 10 m; 9 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, living; Stn DE42; 22°27.5′ S, 166°25.3′ E; depth 15 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; channel Îlot Maître, Stn 1335; 22°19.7′ S, 166°26.6′ E; depth 20–24 m; 2 Dec. 1992; P. Bouchet, Campagne LAGON leg.; tubes d’Eunicidae avec épibiontes; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 63; 22°26′ S, 166°26′ E; depth 20 m; 20 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Anse Vata; 22°18.1′ S, 166°26.4′ E; depth 1–5 m; 1987–2007; Claude Berthault leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, living; Île Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 66; 22°28′ S, 166°27′ E; depth 15 m; 20 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 5 specimens, living; Stn DE70; 22°25.6′ S, 166°31.0′ E; depth 20–21 m; 30 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 5 specimens, living; Ile Ouen–Baie du Prony, Stn 84; 22°30′ S, 166°31′ E; depth 17 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Stn DE36; 22°35.5′ S, 166°32.0′ E; depth 17–19 m; 29 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 95; 22°31′ S, 166°33′ E; depth 14 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 99; 22°33′ S, 166°35′ E; depth 14 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 100; 22°33′ S, 166°35′ E; depth 15 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 101; 22°31′ S, 166°36′ E; depth 18 m; 21 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 8 specimens, living; Île Ouen–Baie du Prony, Stn 161; 22°34′ S, 166°38′ E; depth 20 m; 24 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 226; 22°38′ S, 166°39′ E; depth 28 m; 22 Oct. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn DE30; 22°35.8′ S, 166°39.6′ E; depth 12–13 m; 28 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 293; 22°42′ S, 166°41′ E; depth 20 m; 26 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 291; 22°38′ S, 166°44′ E; depth 31 m; 26 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Stn DE26; 22°32.3′ S, 166°46.5′ E; depth 20–22 m; 28 Apr. 1987; B. Richer de Forges-IRD leg.; MNHN • 3 specimens, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 304; 22°40′ S, 166°48′ E; depth 27 m; 27 Nov. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 544; 22°51′ S, 166°49′ E; depth 25 m; 15 Jul. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Ile Ouen-Baie du Prony, Stn 150; 22°30′ S, 166°50′ E; depth 62–68 m; 24 Aug. 1984; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 548; 22°56′ S, 166°55′ E; depth 32 m; 15 Jul. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 1 specimen, living; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 324; 22°24′ S, 167°03′ E; depth 39 m; 28 Nov. 1984; B. RicherORSTOM leg.; MNHN • 2 specimens, dead; Grand Récif Sud, Stn 405; 22°38′ S, 167°20′ E; depth 27 m; 23 Jan. 1985; B. Richer-ORSTOM leg.; MNHN. – Loyalty Islands • 1 specimen, dead; Lifou, Baie du Santal, ridge SE of Pointe Aimé Martin [= Acadro], Stn 1462; 20°47.1′ S, 167°03.2′ E; depth 70–120 m; 9 Nov. 2000; Atelier LIFOU 2000 leg.; dredged; MNHN.
Description (Figs 39–40)
SHELL. Robust, moderate to large for the genus (diameter up to 17.0 mm), globose-lenticular to trochoid-turbiniform (H/D 0.75–0.89); teleoconch of up to 7.0 whorls; periphery rounded, situated slightly below mid-whorl; suture level with or slightly above periphery, somewhat channelled on later spire whorls and slightly descendant immediately prior to insertion of outer lip; base umbilicate. Early teleoconch whorls with three primary spiral cords; uppermost cord beginning to define a shoulder during third whorl; secondary cords developing on shoulder and between primary cords during fourth whorl; cords subequal in strength at end of fifth whorl, crisply defined with triangular profile, 6–7 in number; limited subsequent intercalation of further cords, penultimate whorl with 8–9 cords; intervals between cords with fine, close-set spiral microlirae (Fig. 40A); axial sculpture of fine, close-set pliculae throughout, most obvious on mid-spire whorls (Fig. 40B), becoming coarser on last adult whorl; cord crests irregularly undulant rather than beaded; cord intervals with an additional intermediary on last adult whorl in some specimens; base with ±12 lower, more rounded spiral cords, progressively more distinctly beaded by axial pliculae toward umbilicus. Umbilicus of variable width, usually moderate to narrow, its margin defined by a broad thickened band with relatively coarse, curved, axial folds and faint, spiral threads; interior of umbilicus with broad funicle above which is a deep channel. Aperture roundly quadrate, peristome interrupted in parietal region; columella lip thick, with reflected lobe at end of umbilical funicle and thickened, somewhat granular pad at end of peri-umbilical band; a weak tooth often present at columella base; parietal region with thick, rounded lobe of callus adjacent to insertion of columella; outer lip simple, its edge scalloped by spiral cords, strongly prosocline above periphery, orthocline below; interior nacreous in live-collected specimens, lacking in-running spiral ridges, but with external sculpture evident through nacre.
COLOUR. Shell somewhat lustreless; colour pattern very variable; commonly mottled in shades of charcoal-grey, cream and white, often with subsutural and peripheral blotches and irregular axial bands; base usually less heavily pigmented; peri-umbilical band white to cream, sometimes with sparse reddish marks; lobe at end of umbilical funicle bright yellow in adults. Specimens from the Nouméa area often with more brownish and red/pink mottling. Occasional specimens with apical surface almost uniformly white save for a pink tip to spire.
DIMENSIONS. Holotype, height 12.7 mm, diameter 15.0 mm; largest specimen, diameter 17.0 mm.
PROTOCONCH (Fig. 40C). Typically umboniine, diameter ±195 µm; white; apical beak present and confluent with terminal lip; apical bulb sculptured with subradial threads, further subspiral threads evident towards suture, the two interacting to form a rectangular network; terminal lip weakly convex.
OPERCULUM (Fig. 41A–B) AND RADULA (Fig. 41C–E). As in T. apicina.
EXTERNAL ANATOMY (mostly from rehydrated specimens) (Fig. 42). Head with distinct forehead between cephalic tentacles; snout moderately long, distal half with numerous slender papillae; cephalic lappets not evident; cephalic tentacles slender, micropapillate, left and right of more or less similar size; eyestalks thick, the tip of each conspicuously expanded and containing a large black eye; left neck-lobe with ± 12 digits, well developed anteriorly, progressively smaller posteriorly; right neck-lobe well developed, rolled to form a long exhalant siphon; four micropapillate epipodial tentacles on each side, with a stalked epipodial sense organ near base of each; a stalked epipodial sense organ also present beneath each neck-lobe; propodium indented in mid-line with a lateral propodial lobe on each side; foot flattened with broad sole, tapering posteriorly. Head-foot mostly whitish; forehead, snout and sides of foot with some darker pigmentation. Ctenidium bipectinate, its tip unattached.
Habitat
Most samples were obtained on the inner edge of the barrier reef, largely associated with sandy substrata; also in channels within the lagoonal system; living specimens at depths of 6–50 m, empty shells to 70 m.
Distribution (Fig. 43)
Known only from New Caledonia (Belep, Grande Terre and Lifou). Only one specimen has been found on Lifou, perhaps due to the absence of a lagoon around the island.
Remarks
Characters separating Talopena maestratii sp. nov. from the co-occurring T. apicina are given in the Remarks for the latter species. Although the distributions of the two species overlap extensively on Grande Terre and there are many samples available for both species, they have only been collected alive at the same station on five occasions. That T. maestratii has not been found on the Chesterfield-Bellona Plateau or the Lansdowne-Fairway Banks, and has been collected only once in the Loyalty Islands suggests that it favours sediments with a significant terrigenous component.
Talopena incerta (Iredale, 1912), type species of the genus and evidently endemic to Raul Island in the Kermadec group, does not attain such a large size as T. maestratii sp. nov. (maximum diameter 14 mm fide Marshall 1979), and has fewer, more rounded primary spiral cords (only five above and including the periphery on the last adult whorl, Fig. 34D–G).
Talopena calyculus (Fig. 77A–C) of unknown provenance is of similar size to T. maestratii sp. nov., but is more depressed, has weaker, less angular spiral cords, stronger axial sculpture between the cords, and a less prominent umbilical funicle with almost no reflection at the columella lip. Talopena belcheri (Philippi, 1850) has been reported widely in the literature under the name Monilea belcheri (cf. Watson 1886: 71; Ladd 1966: 41; Cernohorsky 1972: 41, pl. 8 fig. 11; Tantanasiriwong 1978: 5, fig. 24; Fukuda 1993: 25, pl. 7 fig. 73, 1995: 35; Wilson 1993: 94, pl. 11 figs 20a–b; Higo et al. 1999: 67; Sasaki 2000: 83. fig. 135; Poppe et al. 2006: 108, pl. 57 figs 1–2; Poppe & Tagaro 2008: 198, pl. 44 figs 5, 8–9); however, the original description and figure of this species (Philippi 1850: 148 and 1850 in 1846–1855: pl. 44 fig. 3) strongly suggest that it is referable to Talopena rather than Monilea. The original material was of unknown provenance, but was said to have come from the collection of Sylvanus Hanley. Attempts to trace this material in the NHMUK and the museums in Cambridge and Leeds have proved unsuccessful. In the absence of type material for comparison, T. belcheri is difficult to evaluate, but the figure shows a shell with a more depressed profile than T. maestratii, sparsely spotted with pink and with a reddish-brown peri-umbilical band.
The shell of T. masoni from the Andaman Islands is less elevated (H/D <0.70) than T. maestratii sp. nov., has very unequal spiral cords (of two or three orders) on the spire whorls and has a distinct narrow groove at the outer edge of the peri-umbilical band. T. menkei from the Philippines (Fig. 77D–F) has a more obviously beaded sculpture with less angular primary spiral cords and more distinct secondary cords in their intervals, and finer more numerous cords on the base. In T. philippii from ‘ China Seas’ the spiral sculpture is much less well developed and the umbilicus is more occluded by the reflected columella callus (Fig. 77G–I).
description: Published as part of Herbert, David G., 2024, The Umboniinae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trochidae) of New Caledonia, with descriptions of two new genera and eight new species, plus an additional new species from the Bismarck Sea, pp. 1-143 in European Journal of Taxonomy 973 on pages 80-87, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.973.2765, http://zenodo.org/record/14440264