Nodiscala transsylvanica ( Boettger, 1902 )

Harzhauser, Mathias & Landau, Bernard M., 2025, The Epitoniidae (Gastropoda, Epitonioidea) of the Miocene Central Paratethys Sea-an overwhelming diversity, Zootaxa 5630 (1), pp. 1-142 : 105

Nodiscala transsylvanica ( Boettger, 1902)

Figs 35F , 38O

* Pliciscala (Nodiscala) transsylvanica n. sp. — Boettger 1902: 87.

Pliciscala (Nodiscala) transsylvanica Boettger— Boettger 1906: 96 .

Nodiscala transsylvanica Boettger— Cossmann 1912: 194 , pl. 5, figs 26–27.

Opalia (Nodiscala) transsylvanica (Boettger) — Zilch 1934: 228, pl. 10, fig. 69.

Pliciscala (Nodiscala) transilvanica [sic] Boury— Korobkov 1955: pl. 16, fig. 2.

Type material. Lectotype (designated by Zilch 1934: 228), SMF 380182_12-1456a ( XII 1456 a), SL: 5.1 mm, MD: 1.6 mm, CoŞteiu de Sus ( Romania), specimen illustrated in Zilch (1934: pl. 10, fig. 69), Figs 35F , 38O .

Revised description. Small, moderately slender, somewhat uncoiled shell (apical angle ~22°). Protoconch unknown. Early teleoconch whorls with straight sided subsutural ramp, mid-whorl angulation, constricted below. Later whorls with second angulation close above abapical suture, with periphery placed at shoulder angulation slightly above mid-whorl. Whorls straight-sided below, funnel shaped down to lower angulation. Suture extremely deeply incised below base of whorls resulting in loosely coiled appearance. Sculpture of prominent, strongly raised, broad, convex axial ribs separated by slightly wider interspaces (~12: 12: 12). One large, strongly protruding varix may occur per whorl. Spiral sculpture of prominent spiral cords, overriding axial ribs. Punctate microsculpture very weak. Last whorl attaining ~40% of total height, strongly constricted at base with distinct basal angulation without clear peribasal cord. Very prominent, raised, cord-like fasciole.Aperture subcircular; columella moderately concave. Outer lip with small expansion abapically. Peristome duplex with continuous glossy inner layer, forming narrow rim. Outer layer strongly thickened with radial sculpture. Umbilicus forming narrow, relatively deep chink.

Discussion. The only available specimen is characterized by its slightly decoiled shell. This feature, however, may be pathological. Comparable shells are known for example from the Atlanto-Mediterranean Opalia coronata (Philippi & Scacchi in Philippi, 1840), which usually has ‘normally’ coiled whorls in which the base of the preceding whorl is not exposed along the suture. It is unlikely that Nodiscala transsylvanica is an aberrant specimen of Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856) , as it differs from that species in its very prominent axial ribs the spiral cords, which overrun the axial ribs.

Paleoenvironment. Unknown.

Distribution in Central Paratethys. Badenian (Middle Miocene): Făget Basin: CoŞteiu de Sus ( Romania) ( Boettger 1906).

Genus Parviscala de Boury, 1887

Type species. Scalaria algeriana Weinkauff, 1866 ; original designation by de Boury (1887a: 11). Present-day, Mediterranean Sea.

Diagnosis. “ Size small; shape stocky, turbinate, conical; spire mediocrely elongated, somewhat gradate, with smooth, pointed protoconch; whorls very convex, subdivided, although the sutures do not appear perforated; axial lamellae very prominent, auriculate behind, fused from one whorl to the other in the depth of the sutures; spiral ornamentation composed of fairly tight grooves. Last whorl almost equal to half the total height, with convex, imperforate base, almost completely devoid of cords and auricle. Aperture rounded, fairly large, with split peristome, inner layer continuous, outer layer foliaceous and interrupted in the parietal region; labrum slightly oblique, with a spiny projection behind. ” (translated from Cossmann 1912: 35).

Discussion. Parviscala comprises small species with closed umbilicus, pointed lamellae and spiral cords in the axial interspaces ( Weil et al. 1999: 213). Boreoscala Kobelt, 1902 [type species Scalaria greenlandica Perry, 1811 ; present-day, Greenland] also has spiral cords but differs in its much larger size, more robust shell, its broad lamellae with strongly rolled over crests and it has a peribasal cord (or row of nodes). Hirtoscala Monterosato, 1890 [type species Scalaria cantrainei Weinkauff, 1866 = Hirtoscala muricata ( Risso, 1826) ; present-day, Mediterranean Sea] is morphologically similar but lacks spiral sculpture. The Middle Miocene Paratethyan species probably belong to the lineage leading to the extant Mediterranean Parviscala vittata ( Jeffreys, 1884) .

Figures

FIGURE 35. A. Librariscala costatissima sp. nov., holotype, NHMW 1997z0178/0972a, Bad Vöslau (Austria). B. Nodiscala macilenta (De Boury in Cossmann, 1912), NHMW 1864/0001/0102a, Baden (Austria). C. Funiscala microscopica (Boettger, 1906), NHMW 1862/0007/0287, Möllersdorf (Austria). D. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1868/0001/0541, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). E. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1870/0019/0251, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). F. Nodiscala transsylvanica (Boettger, 1902), lectotype, SMF 380182_12-1456a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). G. Punctiscala brandenburgi (Boettger, 1906), NHMW 2013/0078/0157a, Baden (Austria). H. Punctiscala brandenburgi (Boettger, 1906), NHMW 2013/0300/0141, Baden-Sooss (Austria).

FIGURE 38. A. Nodiscala macilenta (De Boury in Cossmann, 1912), holotype, SMF 380181_12-1460a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). B1–B2. Nodiscala macilenta (De Boury in Cossmann, 1912), NHMW 1864/0001/0102a, Baden (Austria). C1–C2. Nodiscala macilenta (De Boury in Cossmann, 1912), NHMW 1864/0001/0102b, Baden (Austria). D1–D2. Nodiscala macilenta (De Boury in Cossmann, 1912), NHMW 1997z0178/0970, Bad Vöslau (Austria). E. Nodiscala microscopica (Boettger, 1906), lectotype, SMF 380176_12.1457a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). F1–F2. Nodiscala microscopica (Boettger, 1906), NHMW 1862/0007/0287, Möllersdorf (Austria). G. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), lectotype (designated herein), NHMW 1865/0001/0584, Steinebrunn (Austria). H. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), SMF 380170_12-1445 (XII 1445a), CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). I1–I2. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1855/0014/0207, Steinebrunn (Austria). J. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), SMF 380177_12-1444a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). K. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1868/0001/0541, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). L1–L2. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1870/0019/0251, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). M. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), SMF 380178_12-1461a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania). N. Nodiscala scacchii (Hörnes, 1856), NHMW 1860/0011/0305, Lăpugiu de Sus (Romania). O. Nodiscala transsylvanica (Boettger, 1902), lectotype, SMF 380182_12-1456a, CoŞteiu de Sus (Romania).