Coralliophila sp. 3

Harzhauser, Mathias, Landau, Bernard M. & Merle, Didier, 2025, The Muricidae (Gastropoda, Muricoidea) of the Miocene Paratethys Sea (Aspellinae, Ergalataxinae, Coralliophilinae, Rapaninae), Zootaxa 5611 (1), pp. 1-106 : 80

Coralliophila sp. 3

Figs 41 , 45D 1 –D 2

Coralliophila sp. — Bałuk, 2006: 210, pl. 13, fig. 9 (pars).

Material. Z. PAL.U.W., BkK-G1232, SL: 22.5 mm, MD: 14.5 mm, Korytnica ( Poland), figs. 45D 1 –D 2.

Description. Large, slender biconic shell with disjunct whorls; apical angle 68°. Protoconch unknown. Teleoconch of at least four whorls. Suture weakly incised, shallowly undulating on first whorls and deeply incised on last two whorls. Early teleoconch whorls high, with steep, broad, straight sided to weakly concave subsutural ramp, angled shoulder placed short distance above suture, weakly incised below. Axial sculpture of ten broad, rounded ribs overrun by numerous close-set spiral cords. On sutural ramp adis, IP, adis and tertiary threads; P1 along shoulder prominent, s1 weak, P2 prominent and s2 close to anterior suture line. On penultimate whorl: P4, P5, P6 visible. Last whorl attaining ~70% of total height; considerably widening with broad, weakly convex, shallower subsutural ramp, rounded angulation at periphery, rapidly contracting below. About ten undulating axial ribs most prominent along periphery. Spiral sculpture with scabrous cords. On subsutural ramp, delicate adis, IP, abis and numerous threads; on convex part of whorl P1 forming prominent, rounded cord along shoulder; P1–P3 prominent; P4, P5 weaker, P6 and s1 very weak; on siphonal canal ADP weak, MP and ABP prominent. Fasciole narrow, raised, delimiting broad and deep pseudoumbilicus. Aperture wide, rounded; outer lip not thickened, smooth within. Anal canal indistinct; siphonal canal short, open, wide, straight. Columella straight, smooth. Columellar callus straight, erect at siphonal canal.

Discussion. We agree with Bałuk (2006) that this specimen is slightly deformed by the commensal growth of a vermetid or a worm, which resulted in the partial uncoiling of the shell. Bałuk (2006) compared this specimen with Coralliophila sacyi ( Cossmann & Peyrot, 1924) from the Early Miocene of Aquitaine Basin, but its spiral sculpture with prominent P1–P3 and weak P4–P6 is more reminiscent of Coralliophila acuta sp. nov. It differs from this species by having coarser and more scabrous primary cords and fewer secondary cords. As no other specimens are known and as this specimen displays a teratologic aspect, we refrain from describing it formally as new species.

Paleoenvironment. Shallow marine, inner neritic.

Distribution in Central Paratethys. Badenian (Middle Miocene): Korytnica Basin: Korytnica ( Bałuk 1995).

Genus Babelomurex Coen, 1922

Type species. Fusus babelis Requien, 1848 (= Babelomurex cariniferus (G.B. Sowerby II, 1834) ; by original designation. Present-day, Mediterranean Sea.

Figures

FIGURE 1. Cord diagrams and apertural features of Aspellinae (Aspella, Attiliosa, Dermomurex).

FIGURE 2. A–B. Aspella emmae (Boettger, 1902). A1–A2. lectotype, SFM 366519, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). B1–B3. NHMW 1871/0001/0182, Steinebrunn (Austria). C–E. Aspella teter sp. nov. C1–C3. paratype, NHMW 1846/0037/0235, Steinebrunn (Austria). D1–D3. holotype, NHMW 1865/0001/0560a, Steinebrunn (Austria). E1–E3. paratype, NHMW 1865/0001/0560b, Steinebrunn (Austria).

FIGURE 41. Cord diagrams of Coralliophilinae.

FIGURE 45. A1–A2. Coralliophila serraticincta Bałuk, 1995, holotype, Z.PAL.U.W. BkK-G602, Korytnica (Poland). B1–B2. Coralliophila sp. 1, Z.PAL.U.W., BkK-G606-607, Korytnica (Poland). C1–C2. Coralliophila sp. 2, Z.PAL.U.W., Korytnica (Poland). D1–D2. Coralliophila sp. 3, Z.PAL.U.W., BkK-G1232, Korytnica (Poland).