Cerithiopsis sp. aff. pulvis (Issel, 1869) Figure 9D-F

New records.

Israel • 1 sh; Ashqelon; 31.6868°N, 34.5516°E; depth 11 m; 31 Oct. 2018; offshore rocky reef; suction sampler; HELM project (sample S58_1F) • 1 spcm; Ashqelon; 31.6891°N, 34.5257°E; depth 28 m; 31 Oct. 2018; offshore rocky reef; suction sampler; HELM project (sample S59_3F); NHMW-MO-112930/LM/0174; size: H 1.8 mm, W 0.7 mm (illustrated specimen).

Additional material examined.

Cerithiopsis pulvis (Issel, 1869): Israel • 2 spcms, 1 sh; Ashqelon; 31.6868°N, 34.5516°E; depth 12 m; 30 Apr. 2018; offshore rocky reef; suction sampler; HELM project (sample S12_1F) • 5 spcms; same collecting data as for preceding; depth 11 m; 31 Oct. 2018; HELM project (samples S58_1F, S58_1M, S58_2F) • 5 spcms, 2 shs; Ashqelon; 31.6891°N, 34.5257°E; depth 25 m; 2 May 2018; offshore rocky reef; suction sampler; HELM project (samples S16_1F, S16_2F, S16_2M) • 19 spcms; same collecting data as for preceding; depth 28 m; 31 Oct. 2018; HELM project (samples S59_1F, S59_1M, S59_2F, S59_3F) • 8 spcms; west of Rosh HaNikra Islands; 33.0704°N, 35.0926°E; depth 12 m; 29 Oct. 2018; rocky substrate; suction sampler; HELM project (samples S52_2F, S52_2M, S52_3M) • 1 spcm; west of Rosh HaNikra Islands; 33.0725°N, 35.0923°E; depth 20 m; 1 May 2018; rocky substrate; suction sampler; HELM project (sample S13_1M) • 6 spcms; same collecting data as for preceding; depth 19 m; 29 Oct. 2018; HELM project (samples S53_1F, S53_1M, S53_3F).

Remarks.

This species superficially resembles the Lessepsian Cerithiopsis pulvis but has a more cyrtoconoid shape and a greater ratio between the height of the last whorl and that of the shell. The base is not concave as in C. pulvis, bears a fourth spiral cord which is more prominently tuberculate, and an additional fifth tuberculate cord that is not present in typical C. pulvis . Additionally, the siphonal canal bears numerous fine cords. The color pattern is similar to C. pulvis which has orange bands on white background; in contrast, in C. aff. pulvis these are brown and yellowish, respectively. It is distinct from any native Mediterranean species and clearly belongs to an Indo-Pacific clade. It is here considered a new non-indigenous species.