News of New Species - GASTROPODA

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For the purposes of this listing of new species, the muricid genera and species are both arranged alphabetically. If you're having trouble keeping up with, or remembering, the subfamily and generic assignments in the Muricidae why not consult murex expert Dr. Emily Vokes' "One Last Look At the Muricidae"?

MURICIDAE

Muricinae
Aspella schroederi Houart, 1996 (Venus 55(4): 277) - Shell up to 28 mm, lanceolate, heavy, nodose. White, covered by cancellate, light tan intritacalx. It is somewhat similar to A. producta and A. thomassini in having a nodose, angulate shell. However, it differs in being twice as large, and in having a different, broadly and roughly cancellate, intritacalx. The type material comes from Luminao Reef, Guam; in 19 m. of water, under rubble.

Attiliosa edingeri Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3): 96) - Shell biconical, up to 36 mm. Axial sculpture consisting of low, rounded, squamous ribs and numerous growth lamellae. Light tan or orange with darker colored spiral band at the periphery of last whorl. Aperture white. It differs from A. caledonica, A. nodulifera, A. ruthae and A. orri in having a spineless shell; and from these species and A. bozzetti in having more conspicuous, numerous, and squamous spiral cords and threads, a smooth columellar lip and a broader aperture relative to the shell length. Type locality: off Esperance, Western Australia, in 31-36 m.

Attiliosa goreensis Houart, 1993 (Bollettino Malacologico, Vol. 29, 1993, p.20) - The holotype measures 14.2mm. It differs from A. aldridgei, the closest related species, in having more shouldered whorls and more regular and equal sized spiral cords and, more importantly, in having early whorls with more rounded and more numerous varices: 8-10 in goreensis while only 5 or 6 on first teleoconch whorl and 6 to 8 on second and third teleoconch whorl on aldridgei. The type locality is Goree, Senegal. It is the only known species of Attiliosa from West Africa.

Attiliosa ruthae Houart, 1996 (Apex 11(2): 59) ­ Shell up to almost 28 mm. Axial sculpture consisting of high, narrow, spinose varices, each with one short, acute, adapically recurved shoulder spine. It is closest to A. nodulifera and A. caledonica, but has narrower varices, shorter, sharper, more adapically recurved shoulder spines, and fimbriate instead of spinose varices on the last whorl. Type locality: Cebu, Philippine Islands.

Chicoreus (Siratus) bessei Houart, 2000 (NOVAPEX 1(3-4): 78) - Shell up to 73.8 mm, heavy, nodose. Protoconch with 1.5-1.75 rounded, minutely striate whorls; with a narrow, weak keel abapically. Terminal varix erect, weakly curved. Teleoconch with 7 broad, nodulose whorls; axial sculpture of high, strong, narrow, nodose, spineless varices with low webbed extensions. Shell tan, yellow-tan or light chestnut-brown with lighter colored nodules and erratically brown-colored spiral cords. Three, sometimes inconspicuous, dark brown bands on body whorl. Among other differences, C. consuela (Verrill, 1950) has 2-2.5 protoconch whorls, C. cailleti (Petit de la Saussaye, 1856) is more spinose and has a stronger folded columellar lip, and C. motacilla (Gmelin, 1791) has a stouter and spiny last teleoconch whorl. Type material: Pulpitt(sic) Rock, Roatan Is., Honduras, in 170 m.

Chicoreus (Chicoreus) bundharmai Houart, 1992 (Apex, April, 1992, p. 27) - Shell 51-69mm, frondose; protoconch with 2.25 whorls, up to 6 whorls in teleoconch. Protoconch whorls rounded, sculptured with strong axial ribs, more apparent in last whorl; terminal varix strong, thick, almost straight. Light brown with darker spiral cords, brown peripheral band on shoulder. Compared with C. ramosus; differs primarily in longer, more prominent labral tooth, 4 varices instead of three on body whorl, and strongly axially sculptured protonch, which is smooth in ramosus. Also compared to C. cornucervi, whose strongly keeled protoconch is twice as large. Known only from South and West Kalimantan, South Borneo, Indonesia, in 20 meters.

Chicoreus (Siratus) caudacurta Houart, 1999 (The Nautilus 113(4):125 ) - Shell up to 50 mm, elongated, weakly spinose, lightly built. Protoconch large, broad, irregularly shaped, smooth. The new species somewhat resembles C. (S.) beauii, from which it differs in having a large, irregularly shaped, broad protoconch of 1.45 whorls. C. (S.) beauii has a conical protoconch of 3+ whorls and small embryonic whorl. C. (S.) caudacurta also has a higher spire relative to the height of the aperture, and the length of the siphonal canal. C. (S.) cailleti has a shorter spire, longer siphonal canal, narrower aperture and protoconch half the size of that of the new species. The type locality is off Veracruz, Mexico, in 400-500 m.

Chicoreus (Siratus) colellai Houart, 1999 (The Nautilus 113(4):121) - Shell up to 47 mm, weakly spinose, nodulose, lightly built. Aperture large, broad, rounded. Siphonal canal short, but partially broken in all specimens. It differs from all other species of Chicoreus (Siratus) in having rounded, broad, last teleoconch whorl, rounded aperture, narrow varices, and a short siphonal canal. It is most closely related to C. (S.) articulatus; however, C. colellai differs in having more widely spaced, narrower axial ribs, narrower varices, broader, more rounded aperture, and narrower (relative to the shell width) siphonal canal. The type locality is off Puerto Rico, in 914-1097 m.

Chicoreus (Siratus) hennequini Houart, 2000 (NOVAPEX 1(3-4):76) - Shell up to 62 mm, weakly spinose, lightly built. Protoconch of 1.75 smooth whorls, with a narrow, strong, single keel abapically. Teleoconch of 7 convex, nodulose whorls; axial sculpture consisting of high, narrow, webbed varices, each with a single, short, acute shoulder spine and webbed expansion abapically. Shell light tan with some dark-brown spiral cords. It is most similar to C.(S.) articulatus (Reeve, 1845). However, the latter has 3 high, nodose intervarical axial ribs from third to last whorl instead of 4-6 narrow ribs in C. hennequini; the sculpture of the siphonal canal consists of 5 cords, instead of 4 for C. hennequini; the aperture is smaller, and the columellar lip bears 4-7 folds abapically and irregular folds adapically, instead of 3 weak, elongated knobs abapically and a strong, elongated parietal tooth for C. hennequini. The new species is also compared with C. caudacurta Houart, 1999. Type material: Mangrove Bight, Roatan Is., Honduras, in 220 m.

Chicoreus (Siratus) vokesorum García, 1999 (APEX 14(3-4):59-65) - Shell club-shaped, delicate; last whorl small, globose; length of holotype 32 mm; siphonal canal, 17 mm in length. Protoconch of 2.5 whorls, last whorl spirally ridged. Shell ornamented with adapically recurved spines; white, with a narrow, diffused brownish-red band at shoulder, darker when crossing varices. The uniquely recurved spines and the ridged protoconch immediately separate this shell from all other Western Atlantic species of Chicoreus (Siratus). Type locality, off San Salvadore I., central Bahama Islands, taken alive in 273m. Observation: Only two specimens of this species have been collected. The paratype is in the collection of Mr. Craig Caddigan, of Fort Pierce, Florida, who collected it SCUBA diving off Lee Stocking Island , central Bahama Islands, in 46 m.

Dermomurex (Takia) gofasi Houart, 1996 (Apex 11(2): 59) ­ The author states that this is the first record of a living Takia species in the Atlantic Ocean. Shell up to almost 19 mm; grayish­white, covered by a thick, ivory­white or light tan intritacalx. Spire high, with 1.5 to 1.75 protoconch whorls and 6 broad, convex, weakly shouldered teleoconch whorls; last whorl with six high, strong, rounded varices. Columellar lip flaring, smooth, rim partially erected, adherent at adapical extremity. Outer lip smooth, with 5 weak denticles. Aperture glossy white. Distribution: Northeast Atlantic, in deep­water seamounts down to 480 meters.

Dermomurex (Trialatella) sepositus Houart, 1993 (Bollettino Malacologico, Vol. 29, 1993, p.19) - This new species from Cameroun, West Africa, is closest to Dermomurex (D.) scalaroides, a Mediterranean species which inhabits as far south as Dakar, Senegal. The new species differs from scalaroides in its intritacalx, which is minutely, spirally striate. In scalaroides it is more dense and crossed with very fine axial striae. The shell of scalaroides is more nodose, more convex, and not shouldered as in sepositus. The holotype measures 9mm.

Haustellum barbieri Houart, 1993 (Apex, December, 1993, p.147) - To 90.4mm, heavy, tuberculate; pinkish brown with darker blotches on spiral cords and lighter color axial thread. Aperture white. Closest to H. tweedianus (Macphearson) from Queensland; differs in having a spineless siphonal canal, rounded apertural varix, relatively smooth outer apertural lip, more nodose and more numerous axial ridges, and flaring, strongly erect columellar lip. H. barbieri differs from other Haustellum in the particular color and micro-sculpture. Collected by fishermen at Sainte-Marie (Nosy-Boraha), Madagascar, in nets set in 30-35 meters.

Haustellum danilai Houart, 1992 (Apex, April, 1992, p. 31) - Shell 36-47 mm; protoconch rounded, with 1.5-1.75 whorls; up to 7 rounded whorls in teleoconch, the last with 3 weakly spinose varices and 3 or 4, sometimes indistinct, axial ridges crossed with many spiral cords and threads of various strength. It is compared with its closest relatives: The protoconch in H. malabaricus (E.A.Smith), a species which usually grows twice as large, has 2.5 to 3 glossy whorls and is conical in shape. H. purdyae (Radwin & D'Attilio) has a smoother and almost spineless shell and the protoconch is 2 or 3 times larger. H. mindanaoensis (Sowerby) is almost twice as large, more spinose and has a recurved siphonal canal, with previous canals fused into a tube, open by a narrow slit. The new species was collected in Saya de Malha Bank, off Somalia, in 80-100 meters.

Haustellum langleitae Houart, 1993 (Apex, December, 1993, p.145) - Shell heavy, up to 94.10mm; grayish-brown with bluish-black or brown blotches on spire and siphonal canal. Differs from H. haustellum in more elongated, weakly shouldered, non-carinate protoconch, spineless siphonal canal, more numerous axial ribs on first teleoconch whorl, and higher and heavier varices on last teleoconch whorl. Differs from other Indo-Pacific species, such as H. longicaudus (Baker), H. fallax (Smith) and H. kurodai (Shikama), in protoconch characters, thickness of varices, ornamentation of siphonal canal and shell color. Collected from Tanzania to Madagascar.

Comments: Workers on the Muricidae differ on the validity of some of the species in the Haustellum haustellum complex. While Mr. Houart considers H. langleitae valid, due mainly to protoconch differences, Ponder and Vokes (l988) consider H. kurodai, H. vicdani and H. longicaudus as synonyms or forms of Haustellum haustellum, and H. fallax as a subspecies of the latter. What is in question is the importance given to protoconch differences.

Hexaplex saharicus ryalli Houart, 1993 (Bollettino Malacologico (29), 1993, p.18) - It differs from H. s. saharicus in having the last protoconch whorls bearing strong axial ribs, and in having a gradual transition between protoconch and teleoconch, without apparent terminal varix. The nominate subspecies has a smooth protoconch with a raised terminal varix. H. s. saharicus is known from Morocco to Senegal while the new subspecies lives off the Ivory Coast and Ghana. There is no record of either subspecies living between Senegal and the Ivory Coast.

Murex hystricosus Houart & Dharma, 2001 (Novapex 2(2): 31)- Shell up to 93 mm. Protoconch large, broad, bulbous, of 2.25-2.5 whorls. Brown or dark brown with lighter colored spiral cords. Siphonal canal and aperture dark brown. It is closest to M. aduncospinosus (Sowerby, 1841), from which it differs in having more numerous and longer spines on the whorls and more numerous, longer, more adaperturally recurved spines on the siphonal canal. It also has more numerous split denticles within the aperture. M. aduncospinosus has fewer and much shorter spines originating from secondary cords on last whorl and 3-5, almost straight spines, on the siphonal canal. Type locality, Bengkulu, southwest Sumatra, Indonesia.

Murex somalicus Parth, 1990 (La Conchiglia, July-September, 1990, p. 40) - The holotype, collected with the type material off the Somalia coast, measures 155 mm. According to the author, this new species can be compared only and exclusively with M. scolopax, from which it differs by having a wider protoconch; a lower spire and, therefore, a wider angle; stronger varices; one or two extra spines in the last whorl; the presence of a callosity on the internal lip, which reaches and goes over the spines of the preceding whorl; and a long, wide and deep anal canal. The author considers these last two characteristics unique for the genus.

Muricanthus kusterianus bozzadamii Franchi, 1990 (La Conchiglia, July-September, 1990, p. 43) - It differs from the nominate species by having a more compressed spire, with 4 instead of 5 nuclear whorls; the shell is lighter, with less prominent varices; the most pronounced of the varical nodes is in the middle, while in M. k. kusterianus it is in the shoulder; the external margin has less pronounced denticles; the aperture is wider; the siphonal canal is longer. The subspecies is collected off Mogadisho, Somalia, East Africa, and can reach at least 92mm. It varies in color from white to light brown to orange.

Pterynotus laurae Houart, 1997 (Apex 12(4): 121) ­ Shell up to 46.7 mm, heavy, squamous, colored in shades of brown. Protoconch large, broad, irregularly shaped, smooth, white. It is closest to P. albobrunneus Bertsch and D'Attilio, but the new species is broader, particularly the last teleoconch whorl, and has less numerous and broader spiral cords. While P. laurae decreases in coloration from fourth to last whorl, and has lighter colored spiral cords, P. albobrunneus has a darker last whorl with a dark brown line on top of most of its spiral cords. The species is found in the Sulu Sea, Philippines.

Pterymarchia elatica Houart, 2000 (NOVAPEX 1(1): 21) - Shell up to 58 mm, triangular, squamous, webbed. It differs from P. triptera (Born, 1778) in having a more triangular outline, in being more angulate, in having an orange colored shell instead of white in P. triptera, and in having a rounded protoconch of 1.5 whorls compared to the 3- whorl conical protoconch of P. triptera. Type locality: off Elat, Gulf of Aqaba, Israel, Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula, in 20 m.

Muricopsinae
Favartia cecalupoi Bozzetti, 1993 (Apex, March, 1993, p.31) - Shell up to 14mm, fusiform. Protoconch of 2 smooth bulbous whorls, separated by an impressed suture. Outer lip sharp, protruding, weakly crenulate, with a strong fimbriate varix. Inner side of the outer lip lyrate. Body whorl with 5 to 7 widely spaced varices,with weak axial ridges on the intervarical area.. Spiral sculpture of scabrous cords; on the varices the cords are stronger and expand into short, rounded spines. The species is compared to F. natalensis, from which it differs in the denser axial sculpture, weaker spiral cords, and color. While natalensis is white with some black-stained lines inside the aperture, cecalupoi is salmon to orange-red with a brown-pink protoconch. The species was obtained by trawler in 200-250 meters depth, off Ras Hafun, 150 Km. south of Cape Guardafui, Somalia, East Africa.

Favartia deynzeri Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3):98) - Shell up to 18 mm, heavy, moderately spinose. Spiral sculpture of high, strong, squamose cords: two spiral cords on early whorls; last whorl with 5 cords, ending as short spinelike projections on varices. Siphonal canal moderately long, broad, straight, abaperturally recurved at extremity, with 3 or 4 frondose, short spinelets. Creamy white, occasionally with light tan blotches on spiral cords or shoulder. F. cyclostoma and F. sykesi, which superficially resemble the new species, have larger and broader shells, with more numerous, narrower varices and narrower, larger siphonal canal with different ornamentation. Type locality: Shab Shareer, Egypt, in 15-20 m.

Favartia eastorum Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3): 96 ) - Shell up to 22 mm; light tan with darker colored blotches, mostly on spiral cords. Aperture white. It is close to F. confusa Brazier, which has a larger shell relative to the number of teleoconch whorls. F. confusa has a straighter siphonal canal, the spiral cords are narrower, the varices are broader and flanged adapically and abapically. F. cyclostoma (Sowerby) has a broader, more shouldered shell with more numerous, narrower spiral cords, more fimbriate varices and a more rounded aperture.. Type locality: Peak Island, N of Exmouth Gulf, Western Australia, in 24-27 m.

Favartia (Murexiella) andamanensis Houart & Surya Rao, 1996 (Apex 11(2): 55) ­ Shell up to almost 14 mm with a strongly keeled protoconch; axial sculpture of teleoconch whorls consisting of high varices, each with short, frondose spines, 5 on varices of last whorl, two on earlier whorls. Shoulder spine, longest. Siphonal canal relatively long, narrow, recurved, with two rows of short spinelets. It differs from M. interserratus by its keeled protoconch and by having more frondose, shorter varical spines. M. multispinosus has smooth, acute spines, 4 rows of numerous spines on the siphonal canal and a rounded protoconch. Murexiella cirrosa has a short siphonal canal with large, elaborate axial varices. The type locality is the Andaman Islands in 9­11 meters.

Favartia (Murexiella) paulskoglundi Hertz & Myers, 1998 (Nautilus 112(3):95) - Shell up to 17 mm, biconic; cream, with orange brown flush on varices, spine terminations and, occasionally, in intervarical area. It is very similar to Favartia (M.) exigua but differs from it in having an indistinct suture and sloping shoulder with thickened varices. F. exigua has an impressed suture and somewhat excavated shoulder with sharply elevated varices. The new species has five strong major cords with one minor cord in each interspace, whereas F. exigua has five strong cords with no minor cords in the deeply-cut interspaces. Favartia (M.) lappa (Broderip, l833) is also very similar but differs from the sculpture of the new species, stated above. The type locality is Pedro Gonzalez, Islas Las Perlas, Panama, in 5.5 m.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) fusiformis punctata Houart, 1990 (Publicacoes Ocasionais da Sociedade Portuguesa de Malacologia, October, 1990, p. 53) - Shell up to 12mm; color of alternate pale and dark spiral bands with brownish to blackish spots at the intersection of spiral cords and axial ribs. It differs from the nominate subspecies by its coloration (M. f. fusiformis does not have the darker bands); a smoother sculpture, which consists of 8-11 axial ribs versus 11-15 in M. f. fusiformis; and a smaller size (up to 15 mm for M. f. fusiformis). The nominate species lives from Mauritania to Senegal while the new subspecies is known only from its type locality, Praia das Conchas, Angola.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) gofasi Houart, 1993 (Bollettino Malacologico , Vol. 29 , 1993, p. 21) - Although several new species or subspecies from West Africa have been named recently, this new species is close only to M. (R.) fusiformis (Gmelin) and its subspecies punctata ( Houart). The nominate subspecies is known only from Senegal. M. gofasi differs from M. f. punctata, with which it is sympatric, in being comparatively larger with the same number of teleoconch whorls, stouter, and more shouldered. It also has fewer and broader axial ribs and broader spiral cords. The species grows to 13mm and inhabits tide pools of rocky shores in Angola, West Africa.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) matildeae Rolan & Fernandes, 1991 (Apex, April, 1991, p.17) - Shell shape and protoconch similar to other species in the genus. Maximum l0 mm. It is similar to M. rutilus mariangelae but its shell is somewhat shorter, its coloration predominantly reddish and its protoconch is always pink. The protoconch of matildae has a microsculpture of spiral lines instead of the isolated nodules in rutilus mariangelae; besides, matildeae has a constant second cord below the cord formed by the peripheral angle of the first whorl of the protoconch. There are also radular differences. This species has been collected only in Sao Tome Island, off the West African coast.

Muricopsis (Muricopsis) mbotyensis Houart, 1991 (Apex, December, 1991, p.72) - Shell light brown, up to 17 mm., weakly spinose, stout. It differs from other species of Muricopsis s.s. in its rounded aperture and broad outer lip with 5 denticles within. It is compared with M. cuspidatus (Sowerby) from New Caledonia, which has a more ovate aperture with a narrow outer lip and a different arrangement of denticles. The type material is from Transkei, South Africa, in 150- 200 meters.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) rutilus mariangelae Rolan & Fernandes, 1991 (Apex, April, 1991) - This subspecies has been collected exclusevely in Sao Tome and Price Islands, off West Africa. M. rutilus rutilus (Reeve), which inhabits the West African coast as far south as Ghana, is larger, more solid and strong; the nodules on the spiral cords in the apical whorls, as well as those in the body whorl, are much more prominent; it has eight main spiral cords in the body whorl versus 9 to 11 in M. r. mariangelae. M. r. rutilus never has more than three spiral cords, while M. r. mariangelae may have as many as 5 or 6 less conspicuous cords which look more like striae.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) principensis Rolan & Fernandes, 1991 (Apex, April, 1991) - Shell measures around 14 mm and has been collected only at Principe Is., off the West African coast, in 6 meters. The black shell, the near absence of sculpture in the last whorl, and the elongated shape differentiate this from all other West African species known. Only three specimens were known at the time of publication.

Muricopsis (Risomurex) suga discissus Houart, 1990 (Publ. Ocas. Soc. Port. Malac., October, 1990, p.55) - Shell light to dark brown, darker at intersection of axial ribs and spiral cords. It differs from the nominate subspecies by having more spiral cords (7-9 in M. suga suga and 9-10 in discissus); less numerous spiral threads ( 3-4 in M. suga suga and 2- 3 in discissus); and a more elongated, narrower protoconch. While the nominate subspecies is restricted to Senegal, the new subspecies is restricted to Angola.

Muricopsis (Murexul) valae Houart, 1991 (Apex, December, 1991, p.74) - A South African species of up to 13mm in length ; protoconch keeled, smooth; last whorl with 4 or 5 spinose, narrow varices with 4 to 5 open spines, shoulder spines usually strongly bent towards apex; 4 or 5 spiral cords connect varical spines. M. kieneri and M. nothokieneri have more numerous varices (8-10) and more numerous spiral cords (6-7) on body whorl.

Poirieria (Actinotrophon) fragilis Houart, 1996 (Apex 11(2): 59) - The author points out that this is the first record of a species of Poirieria (Actinotrophon) in the western Pacific, and the second known species. It is similar to the Caribbean and Northeast Atlantic species P. (A.) actinophora, which has smoother and higher teleoconch whorls and fewer axial lamellae; the aperture is narrower and more elongate and the siphonal canal is broader. The type locality is New Caledonia, where it was collected in 610 meters, but its habitat extends at least to NW of Port Hedland, Australia.

Poirieria (Flexopteron) poppei Houart, 1993 (Apex, March, 1993, p.33) - Shell up to 52mm, heavy, lamellate; spire high, acute; suture obscured by the axial lamellae of the following whorl; teleoconch ornamented with sharp, spineless, raised lamellae, 8 on body whorl. Spiral sculpture consisting of numerous rounded cords (23-25 on last whorl), more apparent towards the edge of the axial lamellae. Aperture ovate, comparatively small. Color whitish to light orange or light brown.It differs from P. philippinensis (Shuto) in having a higher spire, axial lamellae more curved towards the apex, a shorter siphonal canal, more rounded teleoconch whorls, and more numerous spiral cords (only 10 in philippinensis).

Tripterotyphinae
Orania rosea Houart, 1996 (Venus 55(4): 278) - Shell up to 23 mm, squamose, weakly spinose. The new species superficially resembles O. pacifica; however, O. rosea is more elongated, usually has a more spinose shell, and has primary, secondary and tertiary cords, whereas O. pacifica has similar-sized cords, or occasionally primary cords with a single secondary cord between each of them. While O. pacifica has approximately central knobs in the columellar lip, the new species has them at adapical extremity. The type material comes from Reunion Island, in 73-77 m.

Ergalataxinae
Ergalatax dattilioi Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3):104) - Shell up to 18 mm, slender, tuberculate. Light tan or light brown. Aperture white. It is very similar to E. tokugawai, with which the author had confused it earlier. The new species has more elongated whorls and different spiral sculpture. In E. dattilioi the spiral cords are broad and covered with narrow threads, in E. tokugawai the cords are narrow, smooth, with 2 or 3 threads between each pair of cords. The genus Cytharomorula, once used for the species, resembles Ergalatax but has a more adpressed suture, higher last teleoconch whorl and shorter siphonal canal relative to the shell length. Type locality: Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines, in 73-110 meters.

Orania rosadoi Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3):102) - Shell up to 14 mm, slender, weakly spinose, lightly built. Light brown with darker colored blotches on suture. It resembles O. mixta Houart, but has fewer and broader secondary spiral cords on last whorl and a paucispiral protoconch of 1.5 whorls, while O. mixta has a multispiral, conical protoconch with 3.5 whorls. O. adiastolos Houart, another species with paucispiral protoconch, has a wider, less shouldered shell, and within the aperture are elongated denticles instead of the lirae of the new species. Type locality: Quissico area, Mozambique, ex pisce, in 50-60 m.

Ocenebrinae
Ocenebra chavesi Houart, 1996 (Apex 11(2): 59) ­ Shell up to 21 mm. Spire high, acute, with 6 shouldered teleoconch whorls. Suture impressed. Protoconch globose, whorls rounded, smooth. Axial sculpture of teleoconch whorls consisting of high, rounded, squamose ribs, 6 or 7 on the last whorl. Columellar lip smooth, adherent. Outer lip smooth. Siphonal canal short, narrow, straight, ventrally sealed. It differs from O. erinaceus in its small size, more strongly nodular sculpture, fewer spiral cords and more deeply channeled suture. Distribution: Azores Islands.

Ocenebra hayesi Lorenz, 1995 (La Conchiglia, January - March, 1995, p.57) - Generic placement provisional, since radular features and presence of intritacalx suggests Trophoninae rather than Ocenebrinae. South Africa. Largest type: 11.8mm; shell translucent-white with inflated body whorl; conspicuous protoconch of two smooth whorls; large aperture lacks denticles, has flaring margin on outer lip showing crispate marginal spines, six of which are stronger. Siphonal canal short, narrow. Shell surface sharply fenestrate, covered with thin intritacalx. Differs from other South African muricids by wide aperture, inflated body whorl, characteristic sculpturing. From traps, 80-100 m., Algoa Bay to Port Alfred.

Comments: Intriticalx, a chalky white layer in the shells of many marine mollusks is considered an important diagnostic characteristic because it can develop specific microsculpture patterns that help differentiate species. One should not rush to clean specimens before checking for this characteristic, particularly when collecting the smaller white (or gray) muricids.

Ocenebra newmani Lorenz, 1990 (La Conchiglia, July-September, 1990, p. 17) - Tentatively placed by the author in this genus, the white shell has only slight traces of color. Axial ribs strong, widely spaced and ending with a short spine at the shoulder of the body whorl; spiral cords absent in the body whorl; otherwise, variable sculpture. According to the author, it looks superficially like O. purpuroides but differs from it in color. O. scrobiculata lacks a callosity that O. newmani has at the posterior end of the columella. The shell measures up to 13.7mm and is found in bare rocks and sand at Coral Gardens, West Coast, South Africa, at a depth of 30-45 m.

Ocenebra (Ocinebrina) inordinata Houart & Abreu, 1994 (Apex, December, 1994, p. 123) - Shell up to 21mm, heavy, tuberculate. Protoconch of 1.25 to 1.50 rounded,weakly elongate, smooth whorls. Axial sculpture consisting of ridges and varices; body whorl with 4 to 5 erratically placed varices, some with low, blunt, open spines and one or two high, strong axial nodes. Spiral sculptured with nodose cords; body whorl with 5 or 6 low, obsolete cords forming short, rounded, broadly open spines on the varices, particularly on the apertural varix. The authors state that, although they are aware of the great diversity of forms existing in the Ocenebra edwardsi group of shells, this new species constantly differs from them in its completely white aperture, in the few, strong nodes on its last whorl and in the erratically placed varices with blunt, broad, open spines. O. inordinata differs from O. miscowichi (Pallary), a northwest African species, in its white aperture, stronger and higher axial sculpture, erratically placed varices and fewer, broader spiral cords.

Pteropurpura joostei Lorenz, 1990 (La Conchiglia, July-September, 1990, p. 13) - At the time of publication, the species was known from only two specimens collected in a lobster pot at Cape Agulhas, South Africa, at about 150 meters deep. It differs from P. debruini in being far more expanded and inflated, in the prominent nodules on the shoulder, the smooth peristome and its visibly cancellate sculpture on the body whorl. It differs from other species living nearby in its straight, not incurved spines, its delicate, almost transparent varices, and its more inflated shape. The holotype measures 19.8mm.

Pteropurpura (Poropteron) multicornis Houart, 1991 (Apex, December, 1991, p. 70) - Shell up to 19.5mm, lightly built, spinose. First teleoconch whorl with 5 or 6 axial ribs, 3 varices on all other whorls; those of the last whorls with 3 sealed or very narrowly open, long spines. No other axial sculpture except fine growth striae. Color whitish.This species resembles only the form of P. uncinaria with long spines and shoulder spines bent toward the apex, but differs in the single, long, spine in the siphonal canal bent away from the aperture. P. uncinaria has 2 or occasionally 3 short, acute spines in the siphonal canal, frequently directed away from the aperture. The siphonal canal in P. multicornis is narrower and the intervarical area lacks axial sculpture.

Pteropurpura (Poropteron) transkeiana Houart, 1991 (Apex, December, 1991, p.68) - A South African shell up to 29mm, stout, spinose. Spire high with 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 protoconch whorls and up to 7 angulate whorls. It differs from the other South African species of Poropteron in its more angulate outline due to the presence of intervarical node(s), and in having sometimes obvious spiral cords. The varices of transkeiana are thicker and the spines are acute and short in all specimens. The shell has a siphonal canal with a short or obsolete spine nearer the aperture and a longer, acute spine below. P. uncinaria, P. graagae and P. debruini have 2 or 3 spines on the siphonal canal, with the longer spine nearer the mouth. All specimes of transkeiana examined are whitish, whereas other South African species of Poropteron vary from whitish to dark brown. P. transkeiana differs from Pteropurpura joostei Lorez, 1990 in its higher spire, smaller shell, smaller protoconch and smoother surface. The spine of the siphonal canal farthest from the aperture is narrower, longer and more arcuate.

Rapaninae
Drupa denticulata Houart & Vilvens, 1997 (Apex 12(4): 125) ­ The new species is very similar to D. morum morum but has a smoother shell with three adapical spiral rows of knobs in the last whorl, and two low, nearly obsolete abapical rows. In D. morum morum there are usually four high spiral rows of knobs on the last whorl. The shell of the new species is narrower than D. morum relative to its total height, and the heights of the columellar folds and apertural denticles are greater relative to the total shell height. The new species is also compared to D. m. iostoma, from the Marquesas Islands. The type material comes from St. Pierre, Reunion Island, but the species has also been collected in northeast Madagascar.

Morula cernohorskyi Houart & Trondle, 1997 (Apex 12(1): 1) ­ Shell up to 6.3 mm, biconical, stout, weakly spinose. Axial sculpture of teleoconch whorls consisting of moderately high, strong ribs, with short, narrowly open spines, 8­10 ribs on last whorl. Spiral sculpture of strong, squamous, rounded cords; last whorl with 5 longitudinally striate, rounded cords. Light orange or tan with some spiral cords and tip of siphonal canal brown. Aperture of the same color, with dark brown, narrow bands inside. The new species is compared with M. angulata (Sowerby), M. echinata (Reeve) and M. parva (Reeve), all of which are larger than the new species and have different ornamentation and/or coloration. M. parvissima Cernohorsky is narrower, not shouldered, and is milky­white with alternatively black and white spiral cords. Type locality: Mururoa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia.

Morula rodgersi Houart, 2000 (NOVAPEX 1(3-4): 101) - Shell up to 11.8 mm, biconical, spinose. Protoconch of 3.25-3.5 whorls, small, conical, acute, with a narrow keel abapically on penultimate and last whorls. Axial sculpture of teleoconch whorls consisting of low, broad varices, each with short spines. Other axial sculpture of numerous growth lamellae. Spiral sculpture of low, broad, squamous cords and numerous threads on and between cords. Color creamy-white or pale tan, occasionally with small brown blotches at base of spines. It is compared to M. angulata (Sowerby, 1833), which has a more spiny shell with longer, broader spines. M. echinata is comparatively smaller with shorter spines and orange colored nodules. M. cernohorskyi Houart & Tröndle, 1997 has one broad, light- orange colored cord on shoulder, with broad nodules. Other difference are cited for all of the above species. Type material: Piti Lagoon, Guam, in 6-9 m among rocks.

Thais (Mancinella) herberti Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3): 106) - Shell up to 34 mm, heavy, biconical. Last whorl with 2 rows of short spines. T. (M.) echinata (Blainville) differs primarily in having a more rounded shell with 4 spiral rows of short, acute spines in the last whorl. The Japanese species T. siro (Kuroda) also has 4 spiral rows of short spines. At first sight the new species also resembles Drupella cornus (Roding) and D. eburnea (Kuster), but both species have a denticulate instead of lirate outer lip, a narrower aperture and a higher spire. Type locality: Off Glento Reef, Northern Natal, South Africa, in 110 m.

Trophoninae
Apixystus rippingalei Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3):98) - Shell up to 4.4 mm, spinose, delicate. First whorl with 7 or 8 axial lamellae, second with 10 or 11, third with 12-14, last whorl with 14 lamellae and 4 low, weak, smooth cords. The shell sculpture in species of Apixystus is interspecifically and intraspecifically rather uniform. A. stimuleus (Hedley) has 9 to 10 less frilly lamellae in the last whorl and the shoulder spines are broader and shorter. A. leptus Houart, has two spiral cords in the last whorl, the spines are shorter and the siphonal canal is shorter and more weakly recurved. A. recurvatus is relatively larger, less shouldered, with fewer, lower, axial lamellae, shorter spines and lower spiral sculpture. Type locality: E. of Lady Musgrave Island, Queensland, Australia, in 296 m.

Boreotrophon egorovi Houart (Venus 54(1): 22) - Shell up to 40 mm, strongly globose, lightly built, lamellose. Axial sculpture consists of abaperturally recurved lamellae. No apparent spiral sculpture. B. candelabrum differs from B. egorovi in having a stronger, stouter shell, a higher spire, generally more strongly shouldered whorls, stronger axial lamellae, a narrower aperture, and a shorter siphonal canal. B. beringi is also similar to B. egorovi but has a heavier shell, stronger lamellae and, generally, a shorter siphonal canal. Type locality: Kurile Islands, in 200 m.

Boreotrophon gaidenkoi Houart, 1995 (Venus 54(1): 21) - Shell up to 47 mm, lightly built, slender, strongly lamellose. Spire high with up to 7 convex whorls. Protoconch globose, with 1.5 rounded, smooth whorls. Milky-white; lamellae traslucent white. It is similar to B. albus Egorov, 1992, but has a less angulate shell with higher whorls and narrower axial lamellae. B. beringi Dall, l902 and B. cepula (Sowerby, 1880) are somewhat similar but tend to be more heavily built and more globose with lower axial lamellae, lower spire, and with a colour varying from greenish-white to light brown. Type locality: Kamchatka, Sea of Okhotsk.

Nipponotrophon bondarevi Houart, 1995 (Venus 54(1): 20) - Shell up to 60 mm, lamellose. Spire high, up to 6 or 7 broadly convex, shouldered teleoconch whorls. Axial sculpture of high, strong, lamellose ribs. Spiral cords weak or strong, smooth, of approximately similar size. Outer lip smooth, weakly erect, smooth within. Shell milky-white or ivory-white. The species resembles N. densicostatus (Golikov, l985), but the shell is wider, with a wider aperture, and the spiral cords are more numerous and narrower. Type locality: Kurile Islands, 110 to 135 m.

Scabrotrophon chunfui Houart & Lan, 2001 - (Novapex 2(2): 38)- Shell up to 40 mm, slender, lanceolate, spinose, lightly built. Axial sculpture of teleoconch whorls consisting of low, narrow, lamellose ribs. Spiral sculpture usually of high, strong, narrow, primary, secondary and tertiary cords. White or light tan. It differs from S. emphaticus (Habe & Ito, 1965) in having a different spiral sculpture, in being more spinose, and more rounded rather than shouldered. S. emphaticus has low, webbed varices with triangular, low, broadly open expansions at shoulder, rather than spinose, at each intersection of spiral cords and axial ribs as in S. chunfui. The new species is also compared to S. densicostatus (Golikov, 1985) and S. regina (Houart, 1995)- Type locality, northern Taiwan, in 200-250 m.

Trophon eversoni Houart, 1997 (Venus Vol. 56, No.1, p.9) - Shell up to 75.8mm, light, broad, white. It is closest to the large, white forms of T. geversianus but differs from that species in lacking a false umbilicus, in having a straighter columellar lip, in having more numerous, more crowded and more regularly shaped spiral threads and fewer axial lamellae. The species is known from only three specimens collected by Russian trawler in the Antarctic. Only one paratype is known with certainty to have been collected in the Kerguelen Islands, the type locality. The other two type specimens were collected south of the Kerguelen Islands in 250 meters.

Trophon iarae Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3): 127) - Shell up to 75 mm, heavy, strongly lamellate. Axial sculpture consisting of strongly raised, thin lamellae, more strongly developed at shoulder producing long, narrow, spinelike projections. It differs from T. plicatus (Lightfoot) in having a higher spire, and in having long, almost horizontal, narrow, carinal open spines. The siphonal canal is wider and shorter. T. acanthodes has a siphonal canal twice as long as the new species and the axial lamellae are less obvious and narrower or almost obsolete. Type locality: Off Albardao, RS, Brazil, in 55 m.

Trophonopsis bassetti Houart, 1998 (Apex 13(3):100) - Shell up to 14 mm, slender, weakly spinose, delicate. Axial sculpture of weak lamellae. Lamellae more strongly developed on shoulder, occasionally producing short, spine-like projections. Uniformly milky-white. It is similar to T. segmentatus (Verco), which has a more convex shell with rounded, crowded spiral cords on spire whorls and a smoother shoulder. The spire is higher, and the siphonal canal is markedly shorter, occupying 18% of total shell length instead of 29-33% in T. segmentatus. Type locality: SE of Clarence River, New South Wales, Australia, in 405-412 m.