dcsimg

Description

provided by NMNH Antarctic Invertebrates

Questimya galatheae, n.sp. Figs. 43, 46.

Shell small, translucent white, oblong, dorsal margin constricted be­hind beaks, anterior end rounded, ventral margin convex with a pos­terior concavity marking the position of the main shell fold, broadly truncate posteriorly. Prodissoconch small, clearly marked off. A broad sunken fold runs from near the beaks towards the postern-ventral margin, with two weaker folds behind. Sides of folds bounded by raised radial ridges bearing strong spines. Posterior area with fine, raised,, [sic] rather nodulous radial ridges. Shell surface with a clothing of very fine irregularly arranged spines. Most of the outer surface is covered with tine arenaceous material which appears to be cemented to the shell surface. In places where the extraneous ornament is worn off, the shell is seen to be very finely reticulated. Interior shiny, surface radially sculptured by the outer folds. A fairly strong chondrophore extends from just behind the beaks as a continuation of the shell margin at the dorsal constriction. A small sunken triangular tooth in front of the chondrophore in the left valve. , [sic]

Length, 3.41 mm.; height, 2.86 mm.

Locality: Galathea Station 626, 42° 10' S., 170° 10' E., Tasman Sea, in 610 metres.

Unique holotype in the Zoological Museum, Copenhagen, Denmark.

The two Australian species of the genus, undosa Hedley and Petterd (from, 250 fathoms off Sydney) and granifera Cotton (from 300 fathoms in South Australia), are both somewhat similar to galatheae in texture and outline, but differ in having the main shell fold consider ably more posterior in position. Sculpture details differ in all three, but the basic shell structure seems very similar in undosa and galatheae.”

(Dell, 1956: 33-34)