Cerithium cochleare, Baily, 1858

‘Cerithium’ cochleare Baily, 1858 species inquirenda

Figs 64A–E View FIGURE 64

* Cerithium cochleare sp. nov. — Baily 1858: 150, pl. 10, fig. 10.

Type material. The type material is stored in British Museum of Natural History, London. Lectotype (designated herein), NHMUK PI TB 27309, SL: 20 mm, MD: 7.0 mm, Mramornaya gully (= “ Gorge of Iphigenia ”) (Crimea), Middle Miocene , early Chokrakian , Fig. 64D View FIGURE 64 . Three poorly preserved paralectotypes ( NHMUK PI TB 27306– NHMUK PI TB 27308), Figs 64A–C View FIGURE 64 .

Discussion. Baily (1858) described and illustrated a slender conical shell with straight whorls and prominent, axial ribs separated by interspaces of about same width, lacking spiral sculpture ( Fig. 64E View FIGURE 64 ). The lectotype, however, has a faint mid-whorl angulation with insignificant tubercles and remnants of spiral cords. Due to the poor preservation, the status of this species remains unclear.

Note that Cerithium cochleare Baily, 1858 is not a homonym of Cerithium cochlear Fuchs, 1870 because article 57.6 of the ICZN states: “ a one-letter difference between species-group names combined with the same generic name is sufficient to prevent homonymy ”.

Paleoenvironment. Shallow marine, inner neritic based on the associated fauna (own data A.G.).

Distribution. Early Chokrakian of the Eastern Paratethys.

Eastern Paratethys. Early Chokrakian (Middle Miocene): Mramornaya gully (= “ Gorge of Iphigenia ”) (Crimea) (hoc opus) .