Conus gagei (Maxwell, 1978)
Description.
Shell of
moderate size, biconic, spire 0,25 totale height. Protoconch missing, about 8
whirls on teleoconch, obtusely shouldered a short distance above suture on spire,
sutural ramp (or anal fasciole) gently concave, mpderately steep, outlines of
spire slightly convex. Last whorl contracted
gradually, unexcavated; periphery rounded. Spiral sculpture consisting
of a few weak threads on anal fasciole, about 5 on penultimate whorl, joined by
about 46 rounder cords on last whorl, present over whole base but tending to
become obsolete posteriorly, those on anterior end moderately strong and
well-spaced. No axial sculpture seen apart from fine growth lines, but possibly
once present on the slightly corroded early whorls. Aperture narrow, inner and
outer lips quite parallel, columella unexcavated. Outer lip thin, swinging
forwards in a broad curve below the moderately deep anal sinus (1).
Type locality: GS 9508 Tahu Member, MsCullough’s Bridge
REMARKS:
Conus pseudoarmoricus Marshall and Murdoch, 1920 (Bartonian, Hampden) is similar to this species, but has a more strongly gradate spire with the sutural ramp almost horizontal, a rim-like periphery and much weaker spiral sculpture on the base of the last whorl.
Conus thorae (Finlay, 1927) (= C. convexus Marshall, 1918 non Harris, 1897) (Otaian or Altonian, Pakaurangi) also seems related, but has a lower, more convex spire and, as far as can be judged from the poorly preserved holotype, has spiral sculpture restricted to the sutural ramp and the anterior part of the last whorl.
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Conus gagei (1) Holotype N.Z.
Geological Survey Kaiatan
37,2 – 36,0 Ma (Late Eocene –
Priabonian) Plate 13 –
fig.175 mm. 40,0 x 16,6 Tahu Member,
MsCullough’s Bridge |
mm. 26 Oligocene
– Janjukian Autralia |
Bibliografia Consultata