BOUCHET, Fedosov & Puillandre & Herrmann & Kantor & Oliverio & Dgebuadze & Modica & Bouchet, 2018

KANTOR & BOUCHET GEN. NOV.

( FIGS 20F, G, 21)

Type species: Gemmulimitra neocaledonica sp. nov.; OD, herein.

Diagnosis: As the genus is established primarily based on the molecular data, and its recognition based on the morphology is problematic, we do not provide a formal diagnosis.

Description (based on the type species): Shell small (about 20–25 mm), elongate-fusiform to almost biconical. Protoconch multispiral, of three or more slightly convex, glossy whorls. Suture canaliculated. Subsutural ramp forming distinct shelf, giving spire a stepped appearance. Spire whorls sculptured with strong, closely set, spiral cords overriding low indistinct axial ribs to form series of prominent beads. On later teleoconch whorls, interspaces between gemmate spiral cords broadened, with axial ribs becoming more distinct and sculpture rather reticulate. Interspaces between axial ribs and spiral cords forming deep quadrangular depressions with microsculpture of fine axial growth lines. Shell base extended to rather long, tapering, slightly notched siphonal canal. Aperture narrow, elongated. Outer lip wavy, convex in adapical portion and straight below mid-height; inside of outer lip smooth. Inner lip strongly calloused, sometimes reflected, with four closely set fine columellar folds. Rachidian narrow, bearing eight strong, moderately long, pointed cusps; laterals wide, bearing 16+ strong, pointed, rather widely set cusps.

Distribution: Indo-Pacific, subtidal to bathyal depths.

Species included: Gemmulimitra aliciae ( Poppe, Tagaro & Salisbury, 2009) 3 comb. nov., G. apprimapex ( Poppe, Tagaro & Salisbury, 2009) 3 comb. nov., G. avenacea (Reeve, 1845) 1 comb. nov., G. boucheti (Cernohorsky, 1988) 2 comb. nov., G. duplilirata (Reeve, 1845) 3 comb. nov., G. edgari ( Poppe, Tagaro & Salisbury, 2009) 3 comb. nov., G. gonatophora (Sturany, 1903) 3 comb. nov., G. hansturneri (E. Guillot de Suduiraut & E.G. Guillot de Suduiraut, 2009) 3 comb. nov., G. margaritata ( Poppe, Tagaro & Salisbury, 2009) 3 comb. nov., G. neocaledonica sp. nov. 1, G. rubiginosa (Reeve, 1844) 3 comb. nov., G. solanderi (Reeve, 1844) 3 comb. nov., G. strongae ( Poppe, Tagaro & Salisbury, 2009) 1 comb. nov.

Etymology: The genus name refers to the sculpture of gemmate cords that characterizes many species in this newly recognized lineage, including the type species G. neocaledonica .

Remarks: Gemmulimitra neocaledonica sp. nov. and G. avenacea that together constitute the Gemmulimitra clade on multi-gene trees have little in common in shell morphology, and thus this clade is at present defined solely based on the molecular characteristics. The third species confidently included in the genus is G. strongae that is close to G. neocaledonica sp. nov. in the COI -based tree. The other species here attributed to Gemmulimitra are tentatively classified in this genus based on their general resemblance to the type species or to Mitra avenacea , rather than on any specific diagnostic feature. Therefore, the species included in Gemmulimitra constitute two conchologically distinctive groups: species in the first group have a typical sculpture of gemmate cords, such as G. neocaledonica sp. nov., G. boucheti ( Fig. 21C), G. strongae ( Fig. 21D) and G. gonatophora (holotype figured by Albano et al., 2017), while species in the second group have continuous, smooth spiral cords, such as G. avenacea ( Fig. 21E), G. edgari and G. rubiginosa ( Fig. 21F). Species of the first group closely resemble Fusidomiporta ponderi sp. nov., whereas species of the second group resemble species of Pseudonebularia , from which, however, they can be distinguished by a more elongated shell with more flattened spire whorls. The radula of Gemmulimitra is plesiomorphic and phylogenetically uninformative. More studies are needed to better define the boundaries of Gemmulimitra gen. nov. and elaborate its diagnosis.

SUBFAMILY STRIGATELLINAE TROSCHEL, 1869

( FIGS 22, 23)