Conus compressus (Sowerby II, 1866)

 

 

Conus compressus is an extant species, whose origins date back to the Middle Miocene.

 

Conus compressus (Sowerby II, 1866) (2)

Thes. Conch. 3: 325 no.404,pi. 25 figs. 602-603

 

Type. -

The holotype is in BMNH (no. 1879.2.26.2), ex coll. T.L. Taylor. The measurements are 24.8 x 10.6 mm (fig. 509).

 

Type locality. –

Unknown. Kendrick & Ryland (1981: 4) "nominate"(not designate) the Houtman Abrolhos Archipelago, West Australia (fig. 441), the most likely source area for Sowerby's holotype.

 

Remarks -

Sowerby indicated that Conus compressus has "some resemblance to C. anemone Lamarck, but is more solid in texture and the whorls are much more compressed." Generally “C. compressus” is considered to be the high spired forma of C. anemone (vide Basteria 44: 37-38), although some authors recognize these turreted shells as a valid species. However, both interpretations have recently been shown to be wrong.

 

Kendrick & Ryland (1981: 3-4, figs. 3-5) examined an extensive range of specimens of C. anemone.  They concluded that the holotype of C. compressus (fig. 509) represents a local forma of C. anemone from the Houtman Abrolhos Archipelago (East Australia), and that it bears little resemblance to the turreted shells from South Australia. This conclusion is accepted by the present authors (Coomans R.G. Moolenbeek& E. Wils).

 

The first available name for “C. compressus auct." is C. carmeli Tenison-Woods, 1877 (vide Basteria 47: 92-93, fig. 311). The shell can be recognized by the biconic turreted shape, with straight sides, narrow aperture, and angular shoulders on which a carina is present; uncommonly found off the coast of South Australia and Victoria. C. atractus Tomlin, 1937 (vide Basteria 45: 27, fig. 150) is a junior synonym.

 

Material studied. -

The holotype; we are grateful to Ms. K.M. Way for a photograph of this shell. The collection of R.M. Filmer contains specimens from Wallabi Island, which is just north of Houtman Abrolhos.

 

 

Conus compressus

(Sowerby II 1866)

mm. 23,2 x 10,65

Middle Miocene/Balcombian

Fyansford Clay Fm., Victoria

[AZFC N. 215-01]

Conus compressus

(Sowerby II 1866)

mm. 22,2 x 10,5

Middle Miocene/Balcombian

Fyansford Clay Fm., Victoria

[AZFC N. 215-00]

 

 

 

 

 

Conus compressus

 

.

Fig. 509 (2)

C. anemone fa. compressus

Holotype of C. compressus

mm. 24,8 (BMNH . 1879.2.26.2)

 

 

Conus anemone

f. carmeli

Conus anemone

f. novaehollandiae

Conus anemone

f. peronianus

Conus anemone

f. remo

Conus anemone

f. saundersi

Conus anemone

f. singletoni

 

 

Conus anemone f. carmeli (Lamarck, 1810)

More biconic than other forms, and with yellowish aperture. Often considered a separate species, and often erroneously referred to as f. compressus.

Conus anemone f. novaehollandiae (Adams, 1854)

A low-spired form of C. anemone. A subspecies according to Filmer.

Conus anemone f. remo (Brazier, 1898)

A colour variant "splashed with bright orange.

Conus anemone f. peronianus (Ireale, 1931)

Growing larger than the nominate, usually with a lower spire and generally brighter in colour than other forms of C. anemone.

Conus anemone f. saundersi (Cotton, 1945)

A shape and colour variant.

Conus anemone f. singletoni (Cotton, 1945)

Pinkish-white in colour, no or very minimal pattern. A variant with a white shell.

 

 

 

 


Bibliografia Consultata