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Arene lychee sp. nov. (Figure 1 A‑H) Type material: Holotype MZSP 70301. Paratypes: MZSP 93482, 2 shells (juveniles), MZSP 93501, 2 shells, MZSP 135314, 4 shells, same data as holotype, 200 m depth (viii/2005). Type locality: Brazil, Ceará, off Fortaleza, Canopus Bank, 02°14’25”S, 38°22’50”W, 260 m. Diagnosis: Shell relatively large, trochiform. Teleoconch sculptured by 3 wide spiral cords (increasing in number, up to 8 on body whorl) bearing large, mostly hollow, scale-like spines and closely-packed, thin axial growth lines, more visible in interspaces; cords separated by equally wide, deep interspaces. Color from white to intense red, darker on spiral cords, and lighter at base; apex yellow. Description: Shell relatively large (H 7-9 mm), trochoid, slightly taller than wide (H/D ~1.1), with 5 convex whorls; color strong red to white, darker on spiral cords and lighter at base (juveniles are often lighter colored overall; Fig. 1E); apex yellow (Fig. 1B, H). Spire medium-sized (height ~1/3 of shell height); apex rounded; spire angle ~85°. Protoconch (Fig. 1 G-H) small (W 0.75 mm), protruding, of 1½ whorl; color yellow (Fig. 1H); transition to teleoconch visible as a radial groove (Fig. 1G). Teleoconch with ~3½ convex whorls, whorl profile rounded; sculpture of 3 evenly sized, spiny spiral cords (increasing in number, up to 8 on body whorl) separated by equally wide, deep interspaces; spines angular, large, spaced; on whorls 2 and beyond becoming partially hollow, scalelike (Fig. 1D); axial growth lines closely-packed, thin, more visible in interspaces between spiral cords. Suture barely visible. Aperture rounded, aperture height ~1/3 of shell height, white to light pinkish; inner lip thick, slightly flaring (Fig. 1A), producing short callus; outer lip slightly bending over aperture near whorl attachment (Fig. 1A, F). Shell base convex, sculptured by 4 spiral cords (with smaller spines than upper cords); periumbilical cord with larger, coarser nodules (Fig. 1C); umbilicus narrow, shallow. Operculum unknown. Distribution: Known only from type locality. Habitat: Coralline bottoms, 200- 260 m. Etymology: The specific name, a noun in apposition, is derived from the English common name of the Asian soapberry tree Litchi chinensis (Sapindaceae). The fruits of L. chinensis bear a strong resemblance to the shell of the described species, having similar coloration, globose outline, and an overall rough,“spiky” aspect. Measurements (in mm): Holotype 5½ whorls, H = 8.3, D = 7.5. Material examined: Types. Additional material: Syntype of Arene briareus var. perforata USNM 95025, Barbados, R / V Blake sta. 272, 139 m (05/iii/1879). |
