Conus (Lautoconus) cf. baldichieri Borson, 1820

Figs 11–12, 20, 40F; Table 6

Material examined

GREECE – Crete • 1 spec.; Adhraktia; Messara Basin, Tortonian; 1990; Action spécifique du Muséum project (1989–1990) exped.; MNHN.F.A83013 .

Shell description

Moderately large shell (31.14 mm). Early spire whorls coeloconoid, straight. Middle to late spire whorls convex, elevated, creating conical, bulbous outline. Subsutural flexure deep, strongly curved, strongly asymmetrical (Fig. 40F). Shoulder slightly angulated. Maximum diameter right below shoulder.Aperture narrow, widening towards siphonal canal. Last whorl straight to slightly inflated. Siphonal canal short, wide. Fasciole short, twisted.

Description of colour pattern

The colour pattern consists of three levels of colouration. The first one consists of continuous grouped spiral lines of dim-fluorescent colour (Fig. 12, dim fluorescent lines). The second one consists of continuous spiral lines of bright-fluorescent colour (Fig. 12, bright green coloured lines). Both patterns of lines are slightly wavy, and it is possible for the second one to overprint the first. The third level of colouration is a series of thin, wavy, fluorescent and axial lines (Fig. 12, axial lines). The lines are not always continuous, but are more prominent on the spire whorls. Some of the lines are linked one to another, turning into a pattern of axially entangled lines. The result of the three patterns reminds of vehicle tire tracks (Fig. 11A 2).

Remarks

Ferrero Mortara et al. (1984: pl. 16 fig. 8) figured the ‘holotype’ of Conus baldchieri (in fact they made a fixation of a lectotype by inference of holotype, ICZN 1999: Art. 74.6)) regarded by Sacco (1893a) as Lithoconus mercatii var. baldichieri . The Cretan specimen attributed to Conus (Lautoconus) cf. baldichieri is similar to Conus baldichieri Borson, 1820 from the Pliocene of Italy, but differs in the less striated spire whorls, the less inflated shell, the more elongate last whorl and its shorter siphonal canal.

As we have not studied this Italian specimen under UV light, we prefer leaving the Cretan specimen in open nomenclature.

Stratigraphic range

Tortonian of Greece (Messara Basin, Crete) (this work).