Coralliophila ficiformis ( Bałuk, 1995 )

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 : 70-71

Coralliophila ficiformis ( Bałuk, 1995)

Figs 37 , 40D 1 –D 2

* Magilus? ficiformis sp. n. — Bałuk 1995: 230, pl. 38, fig. 6.

Coralliophila burdigalensis Tournouër, 1874 — Kovács 2019: 137, figs. 75–76 [non Coralliophila burdigalensis Tournouër, 1874 ].

Type material. Holotype: Z. Pal.U.W. BkK-G716, SL: 11.5 mm, MD: 7.8 mm, Korytnica ( Poland), illustrated in Bałuk 1995: pl. 38, fig. 6; figs. 40D 1 –D 2.

Additional material. M.60.6994A, SL 4.8 mm, MD: 3.5 mm, CoŞteiu de Sus ( Romania)

Revised description. Small biconic shell with pointed protoconch and low, coeloconoid spire; apical angle ~90°. Mamillate, high conical protoconch of three angled whorls. Teleoconch of 2.5 whorls. Suture deeply incised, linear. Axial sculpture of first teleoconch whorl of ten weak ribs overrun by close-set IP, adis (appearing at end of first whorl) and prominent P1, swollen over axial ribs. Last whorl attaining 88% of total height; with straight-sided subsutural ramp, sharply angled shoulder, slowly contracting below. Axial sculpture subobsolete. Spiral sculpture of prominent close-set, rounded adis, IP, prominent abis, keel-like, rounded P1 at shoulder; P3, P6 prominent, rounded, P2, P4, P5 weak; s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, ADP weak, MP, ABP prominent, EAB1 weak. Fasciole swollen, delimiting narrow pseudoumbilicus. Aperture elongate ovate, almost entire length of last whorl; outer lip smooth. Anal canal indistinct, wide; siphonal canal moderately long, open, wide. Columella straight, weakly twisted at siphonal canal. Columellar callus indistinct, poorly delimited from base.

Discussion. This species was placed by Bałuk (1995) with a question mark into Magilus de Montfort, 1810 [type species Magilus antiquus Montfort, 1810 ; present-day, Indo-West Pacific]. This placement is surely incorrect, because Magilus species have naticoid early whorls. Kovács (2019, figs. 75–76) documented a juvenile specimen, which he interpreted as juvenile specimen of Coralliophila burdigalensis Tournouër, 1874 , from the Early Miocene of France. Juvenile specimens of Coralliophila burdigalensis , however, differ distinctly in their fusiform shape, high whorls and prominent axial ribs (see Lozouet & Renard 1998: figs. 2/2–3). Coralliophila hoplites sp. nov. differs in its excavated columella, narrower pseudoumbilicus, the shorter base and the more biconic shape.

Paleoenvironment. Unknown.

Distribution in Central Paratethys. Badenian (Middle Miocene): Korytnica Basin: Korytnica ( Bałuk 1995); Făget Basin: CoŞteiu de Sus ( Romania) ( Kovács 2019).

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 37. Cord diagrams of Coralliophilinae.

FIGURE 40. A1–A2. Coralliophila biconica Boettger, 1906, holotype, SFM 366520, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). B1–B2. Coralliophila gracilispira Boettger, 1906, holotype, SFM 366521, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). C1–C3. Coralliophila elegantula sp. nov., holotype: NHMW 1857/0024/0024, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). D1–D2. Coralliophila ficiformis (Bałuk, 1995), holotype, Z.Pal.U.W. BkK-G716, Korytnica (Poland).