There are at least two species of Peltospira present at 9°N: Peltospira delicata McLean, 1989 and Peltospira operculata McLean, 1989. A third species, Peltospira lamellifera Warén & Bouchet, 1989, has been described from 13°N and may also be at 9°N.
Peltospira spp. Family Peltospiridae.
There are at least two species of Peltospira present at 9°N: Peltospira delicata McLean, 1989 and Peltospira operculata McLean, 1989. A third species, Peltospira lamellifera Warén & Bouchet, 1989, has been described from 13°N and may also be at 9°N.
Also see:
Protoconch SEM, Mullineaux et al. (1996), Fig. 3.
| Size under dissecting microscope: 210-220µm Size under compound microscope: 210, 215, 220 µm |
| Morphology: This protoconch has approximately 16-18 lines, beginning in a V at the axis of coiling and following the curvature of the shell, stopping abruptly at the same point about 2/3 of the way to the aperture. The aperture is perfectly circular when viewed from the bottom and is surrounded by a narrow rim which flares out to the sides when viewed from the top. It looks more streamlined than most peltospirids, since it is shorter for its diameter and the base is more smoothly rounded. It matches the SEM of Peltospira operculata in Mullineaux et al. (1996) in size and general appearance, but is also very similar to the Nodopelta subnoda protoconch (SEM, Desbruyères et al. (2006) p. 117). Molecular work is ongoing and may help to resolve the issue. In the meantime, we have attributed this protoconch to Peltospira, as it is the most common genus at 9°N. |
| Frequency: Pump EPR 1999-2000: Common Pump EPR 2004: Common Trap EPR 2004-2005: Frequent |
| See Notes on peltospirids for links to easily confused species |
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