Fenimorea moseri Dall 1889
Creators: name: Fallon, Phillip J.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Mollusca
Gastropoda
Neogastropoda
Drilliidae
Fenimorea
Fenimorea moseri

description: Fenimorea moseri (Dall, 1889)
(Plates 87, 88)
Drillia (Cymatosyrinx) moseri Dall, 1889a: 97, pl. 36, fig. 3.
Cymatosyrinx moseri (Dall, 1889): Maury (1922); Johnson, C.W. (1934: 136); Perry et al. (1938: 28); Morris (1973: 219, pl. 45, fig. 19).
Fenimorea moseri (Dall, 1889): Perry (1940: 163, pl. 38, fig. 259); Perry & Schwengel (1955: 181, pl. 38, fig. 259); Powell (1966: 91); McGinty (1970); Lyons et al. (1971); Porter (1974: 252); Kaicher (1984: card 3930); K. Sunderland (1991: 14); Abbott & Morris (1995).
Fenimorea moseri brunnescens Rehder, 1943: 202, pl. 20, fig. 5. Type locality: Fort Walton, Okaloosa County, W Florida, in 14 fms [23 m] depth. Powell (1966: 91).
Splendrillia (Syntomodrillia) moseri (Dall, 1889): Abbott (1974: 275, fig. 3112); Vokes & Vokes (1984: 58, pl. 21, fig. 15).
Splendrillia (Syntomodrillia) moseri subsp. brunnescens (Rehder, 1943): Abbott (1974: 275, sp. 3113).
Bellaspira brunnescens (Rehder, 1943): Abbott (1974: 276, sp. 3129). [Fig. 3129 is that of Fenimorea moseri brunnescens Rehder, 1943 a.]
Splendrillia moseri (Dall, 1889): Turgeon et al. (1988); Petuch (1994: pl. 99, fig. Q); González (1998); Williams (2005; 2006; 2009: 1581); García (2007a: 8); Tunnell et al. (2010: 253, text fig.).
Splendrillia (Fenimorea) moseri (Dall, 1889): Odé (1991: 22); Odé (1993).
Splendrillia moseri moseri Dall, 1889: Turgeon et al. (1998: 102).
Splendrillia moseri brunnescens (Rehder, 1943): Turgeon et al. (1998: 102).
Neodrillia blacki Petuch, 2004: 295 –296; pl. 97, fig. D, is a junior synonym. Type locality: eastern shore of Middle Torch Key, Pine Channel, Lower Florida Keys, Monroe County, Florida in 1.5 m.
Drillia blacki (Petuch, 2004): Williams (2005: species 1569).
Not this species or unconfirmed extralimital and fossil reports.
Drillia (Cymatosyrinx) moseri Dall, 1889: Dall (1890: 30 [Caloosahatchee beds]); Dall (1903: 1606 [Caloosahatchee beds]). Fenimorea moseri (Dall, 1889): Fargo (1953: 369 [Caloosahatchee beds]); Campbell, et al. (1975: 117 [Caloosahatchee beds]); Rios (1983); Rios (1985: 137, pl. 47, fig. 627 [Brazil]); Rios (1994: 162, pl. 54, fig. 731 [Brazil]); Absalão et al. (2005: 24 [Brazil]); Rios (2009: 313, text fig. [Brazil]).
Type material. Dall cited a number of lots that are considered syntypes: 2 spec., 30.5 x 10.4 & 20.6 x 7.4 mm, in 5 m, St. Martin's Reef, Hernando Co., W Florida (USNM 86925), 1 spec., 20.9 x 7.4 mm, Sarasota Bay, Sarasota Co., W Florida (USNM 27638); 1 spec., in 15 fms [27 m], W of Florida (MCZ 7096); 1 spec., 31.7 x 11.5 mm, in 49 fms [90 m], ESE of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35.141667, -75.166667 (USNM 93611).
The syntype most closely matching Dall’s description and drawing is the 30.5 mm specimen in USNM 86925 (from St. Martin's Reef); is herein designated the lectotype. The other specimen in the lot, the 20.6 mm specimen, is now in USNM 1295217.
The holotype of Fenimorea moseri brunnescens Rehder, 1943: 23.0 x 8.4 mm (USNM 517055), Maxwell Smith! No paratypes were mentioned by Rehder, but 4 specimens from the type locality in UF 59986 are labeled as such: 28.0 x 9.4, 22.3 x 7.9, 21.3 x 8.2 & 20.2 x 7.5 mm (2 are depicted in Plate 87, Figs. 13–14, and 2 in Plate 88, Figs. 16–17).
Neodrillia blacki Petuch, 2004 holotype: 27.1 x 9.7 mm (AMNH 308071), paratypes from type locality: 1 spec., 25 mm (UF 287808); 2 spec., 25 & 27 mm (UF 287809), 7 spec. 17–26 mm (UF 287810); and 2 fossil spec., 24 & 27 mm, Bermont Formation [middle Pleistocene age] (Petuch coll.). Only the holotype was examined for this work.
Type locality. St. Martin’s Reef, Hernando Co., W Florida, in 3 fms [5 m], the lectotype’s locality.
Other material examined. An additional 36 specimens were examined: Mexico: 4 spec., 16.5 x 5.7, 15.2 x 5.3, 14.2 x 5.5 & 14.1 x 5.3 mm, in 63–65 mm, WSW of Triángulos Reef, 20°51.49'N, 92°21.44'W, E. García! aboard R/V Pelican, 28 Jun 1993 (EFG 26524); 1 spec., 20.6 x 7.1 mm, in 126 m, ENE of Alacran Reef, Campeche Bank (DMNH 107073). W Florida: 1 spec., 20.9 x 7.6 mm, in 18–27 m, off E Pass, Destin, Okaloosa Co. (UF 449330); 1 spec., 21.0 x 7.5 mm, in 18–27 m, off E Pass, Destin, Okaloosa Co. (UF 242587); 1 spec., in 20 m, off Destin, Okaloosa Co. (UF 156499); 1 spec., 21.9 x 7.5 mm, in 38 m, 225° off Panama City, Bay Co. (UF 156501); 3 spec., 7.0 x 3.2, 10.0 x 4.0 & 23.9 x 8.2 mm, in 27–30 m, off Anclote Key, Pasco Co., J. Moore! (ANSP 314402); 1 spec., 30.1 x 11.1 mm, in 12 m, off Johns Pass, Pinellas Co., night diver! 9 May 1971 (author’s coll.); 1 spec., 9.5 x 4.1 mm, in 55 m, W of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough Co., J. Moore! (ANSP 337539); 1 spec., 5.9 x 2.7 mm, in 30–61 m, off Tampa, 27°58'N, 082°38'W, Hillsborough Co., J. Moore! 1962 (ANSP 365388); 1 spec., 23.3 x 10.1 mm, in 15 m off Anna Maria I., Manatee Co., M. Williams! 15 Apr 1986 (UF 470314); 2 spec., 18.4 x 7.5 & 27.8 x 10.1 mm, in 55 m, W of Palmetto, Manatee Co., J. Moore! 1974 (UF 470312); 2 spec., 24.1 x 9.9 & 23.8 x 8.9 mm, in 52–55 m, W of Boca Grande, Lee Co., J. Moore! (EFG 11577); 3 spec., 26.8 x 9.6, 23.7 x 8.7 & 16.9 x 6.2 mm, off Sanibel I., Lee Co. (UF 155642); 1 spec., 27.7 x 10.4 mm, in 29 m, 58 km WSW of Sanibel I., Lee Co. (author’s coll.); 1 spec., 16.4 x 6.4 mm, in 9 m, 1.6 km off Venice, Collier Co. (UF 470311). Florida Keys: 2 spec., 20.1 x 7.5 & 15.9 x 6.2 mm, in 3 m, 3–5 km W of John Sawyer Bank, Marathon, J. & R. Bennett! Jan 1966 (EFG 11601); 1 spec., 24.1 x 8.8 mm, in 4 m, near John Sawyer Bank, Marathon, O.K. McCausland! (EFG 21900); 4 spec., 23.8 x 7.9, 21.5 x 8.7, 19.5 x 7.4 & 16.3 x 7.2 mm, in 61 m, off Key Vaca, Marathon, T. Kalafut! 1980 (UF 470310); 1 spec., 24.6 x 8.6 mm, Little Torch Key (DMNH 197563); 4 spec., 22.5 x 8.4, 22.3 x 8.2, 23.3 x 8.5 & 27.2 x 10.2 mm, in 0.6 m, Middle Torch Key, Gulf side (UF 123002); 2 spec. 20.5 x 7.7 & 19.8 x 7.2 mm, in 1 m, in pockets of sand, E end of Middle Torch Key, Florida Bay, E. Shuller! Jun 2012 (author’s coll.).
Range and habitat. Mexico (Campeche Bank); W Florida; Florida Keys; Bahama Is. (Eleuthera I.). Also, reported off the Texas coast by Odé (1991), Odé (1993) & Tunnell et al. (2010) but not confirmed in this work. Most reports of its occurrence have been along the W Florida coast and the Florida Keys. The identity of the paralectotype from North Carolina has yet to be confirmed as this species. This species has been reported from 0– 126 m depths. Curiously, many of the reports of the shallowest depths (0–4 m) are of specimens taken in the Florida Keys, the southernmost extent of their range.
Description. Shell medium (to 31.7 mm in total length), fusiform, truncated anteriorly, surface glossy with a high spire and slightly concave whorls that are appressed, slightly undulant over previous whorl’s ribs; whorls number up to 11¼, the last approximately 55.5% of the total shell length. Predominant sculpture is ribs; aperture narrow. Protoconch of 2 smooth round whorls. Axial sculpture of low, narrow opisthocline ribs that extend from suture-to-suture on spire whorls and evanesce on shell base, most disappearing well before the anterior fasciole. Ribs reduced and slightly recurved in sulcus, narrower than intercostal spaces and number 8–11 on the penultimate and 5–9 on the last whorl to the varix. Vari x large, hump-like, positioned ¼- to ⅓-turn from edge of outer lip. Spiral sculpture of very fine grooves or ridges on shell surface, coarser on anterior fasciole. These are intersected by numerous, raised sub-equal growth striae forming rows of small pits. Sulcus about ¼- to ⅓-whorl height, with much reduced, recurved ribs. Spiral threads closer, growth striae also recurved. Outer lip thin, flattened from varix, with axial folds; edge of lip forms a low arc from anal sinus to anterior canal; stromboid notch a weak indentation. Anal sinus a deep, U-shaped notch; inner edge flared slightly in mature shells. Inner lip recumbent, moderately wide on columella, narrower on parietal wall; formed into a heavy lobe at the anal sinus. Anterior canal short, open, turned to the right when viewed ventrally, slightly notched; anterior fasciole heavy in older individuals, but not swollen. Color uniformly white, dirty white, yellowish, light brown, or pink. On some specimens, color darker mid-whorl between ribs.
Remarks. Taxonomy. Fenimorea moseri has the characteristic microsculpture of Fenimorea, axial ribs that extend from suture-to-suture on spire whorls that are interrupted by an abrupt reduction of the ribs in the sulcus, a hump-like varix present approximately ⅓-turn from the edge of the outer lip, and a short, open anterior canal. Variability. The average total length of 50 specimens is 20.97 mm (5.9–31.7 mm); their average W/L is 0.375. This species is quite variable in form and color. Whorl shoulders can be angular or almost round, color pure white to brown. Two named taxa, Neodrillia blacki, Petuch 2004 and F. m. brunnescens Rehder, 1943 are believed to represent color varieties: N. blacki a white variety found in the lower Florida Keys, the southernmost extent of the range of F. moseri, and F. m. brunnescens is brown and found in the northeast Gulf of Mexico, the northernmost extent of its range in the Gulf. Four specimens examined from the western-most extent of its range, from off Triángulos Reef on Campeche Bank, Gulf of Mexico, are very small and although treated as the same species here may actually be different (see Pl. 88, Figs. 18–21. These miniatures have a narrow sulcus and more convex whorls than the type and other differences. Other than Dall’s, no other report of specimens from North Carolina has been found. Differences in form and color are illustrated in the plates. There may be geographic and bathymetric separation of the different forms, which suggests their taxonomic separation at the subspecific level, but this possibility has not been fully explored and so is left open here. Identification. Fenimorea moseri is similar to four of its congeners: F. abscondita, new species, F. pagodula (Dall, 1889), F. petiti Tippett, 1995, and Clathrodrillia wolfei Tippett, 1995, all of which may be found in the same geographic region. It is most similar to F. abscondita in form, differing in its somewhat smaller size (20.97 versus 29.30 mm average total length) and in possessing less angular shoulders. In color F. moseri is usually monochromatic while F. abscondita is consistently colored a light creamy tan with a light brown spiral band. Fenimorea moseri differs from F. pagodula in having a shorter spire, stouter shell, more convex whorls, and in lacking a dull yellow color band. From F. petiti it differs in being larger (average total length of 20.97 versus 12.11 mm), having a wider sulcus, more angular shoulders, and also lacking a color band. From C. wolfei it differs in being larger (20.97 versus 12.71 mm average total length), and in possessing a shorter anterior canal.
description: Published as part of Fallon, Phillip J., 2016, Taxonomic review of tropical western Atlantic shallow water Drilliidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Conoidea) including descriptions of 100 new species, pp. 1-363 in Zootaxa 4090 (1) on pages 184-188, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4090.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/263299