Post by surroundx on Nov 10, 2012 6:58:51 GMT
Pachnodus (Nesiocerastus) curiosus sp. nov. (Fig. 5b)
Type material: Holotype (UMZC 2003.57.1), 3 paratypes (NPTSxxxxx), all fragmentary subfossils. Holotype from Baie Laraie, paratypes from Anse St. Joseph, all Curieuse
18.x.2002 (coll. J. Gerlach).
Etymology: Named after the island of origin, Curieuse.
Description: Shell: Shell conical; number of whorls estimated at 6; 2 nuclear whorls; thin
and fragile; surface shiny; irregular radial ridges, well developed spiral striae. Suture with
a slight ridge. Apex pointed; umbilicus probably open; mouth edge slightly reflexed but not
forming a true lip. Coloration not known (all specimens are bleached).
Body and anatomy. - Unknown.
Distribution: Curieuse, Seychelles. Known only from sub-fossil material.
Notes: The limited available material of this species is most similar to P. ladiguensis and
P. fregatensis but is distinguished by traces of a shiny shell surface in one specimen and in
the size of the protoconch. These features resemble P. oxoniensis, P. ornatus and P. kantilali
but differ from these species in the development of the suture and the mouth edge and the
presence of a slight sutural ridge. P. praslinus has a broader aperture. On the basis of these
comparisons P. curiosus appears to belong to the plesiomorphic terrestrial Pachnodus species
(P. fregatensis and P. ladiguensis – Gerlach 1999).
The material consists of subfossil shell fragments. No traces of recent shells or live
specimens have been found on Curieuse despite repeated searching, the species is therefore
believed to be extinct. The subfossils were collected from plateau soil in association with
Stylodonta unidentata, S. studeriana and Tropidophora pulchra. These have all been extinct
on Curieuse since the early 1800s, probably as a result of extensive forest fires.
Source: www.islandbiodiversity.com/Phelsuma%2011-4.pdf
Type material: Holotype (UMZC 2003.57.1), 3 paratypes (NPTSxxxxx), all fragmentary subfossils. Holotype from Baie Laraie, paratypes from Anse St. Joseph, all Curieuse
18.x.2002 (coll. J. Gerlach).
Etymology: Named after the island of origin, Curieuse.
Description: Shell: Shell conical; number of whorls estimated at 6; 2 nuclear whorls; thin
and fragile; surface shiny; irregular radial ridges, well developed spiral striae. Suture with
a slight ridge. Apex pointed; umbilicus probably open; mouth edge slightly reflexed but not
forming a true lip. Coloration not known (all specimens are bleached).
Body and anatomy. - Unknown.
Distribution: Curieuse, Seychelles. Known only from sub-fossil material.
Notes: The limited available material of this species is most similar to P. ladiguensis and
P. fregatensis but is distinguished by traces of a shiny shell surface in one specimen and in
the size of the protoconch. These features resemble P. oxoniensis, P. ornatus and P. kantilali
but differ from these species in the development of the suture and the mouth edge and the
presence of a slight sutural ridge. P. praslinus has a broader aperture. On the basis of these
comparisons P. curiosus appears to belong to the plesiomorphic terrestrial Pachnodus species
(P. fregatensis and P. ladiguensis – Gerlach 1999).
The material consists of subfossil shell fragments. No traces of recent shells or live
specimens have been found on Curieuse despite repeated searching, the species is therefore
believed to be extinct. The subfossils were collected from plateau soil in association with
Stylodonta unidentata, S. studeriana and Tropidophora pulchra. These have all been extinct
on Curieuse since the early 1800s, probably as a result of extensive forest fires.
Source: www.islandbiodiversity.com/Phelsuma%2011-4.pdf
