Pedicularia tibia Simone, 2005

Simone, Luiz Ricardo L., 2024, New species, misidentifications and problematic taxonomy of some Atlantic South American marine mollusks: a review, Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia 64, pp. 1-104 : 21

Pedicularia tibia Simone, 2005 revalidated ( Fig. 12 A-D)

Pedicularia tibia Simone, 2005: 8-11 (figs. 13-27), 2019a (fig. 3); Lorenz & Fehse, 2009: 137 (in syn. of P. decussata ); Rios, 2009: 140; Dornellas & Simone, 2011: 40; Simone & Cunha, 2012: 752 (fig. 3I-L); Molluscabase, 2023 (in syn. of P. decussata ).

Type locality: BRAZIL. Ceará ; Canopus Bank, off Fortaleza, 02°14′25″S 38°22′50″W; 60 m.

Remarks: Pedicularia tibia ( Fig. 12A, B ) has been considered a synonym of P. decussata Gould, 1855 by some authors ( Lorenz & Fehse, 2009). However, in the original description ( Simone, 2005), a significant number of conchological differences were indicated to support the separation of both species. This set of differences was maintained even with the collection of hundreds of specimens (MZSP collection), despite the plasticity of both species′ shells. Additionally, at least two notable anatomical differences were pointed out, as P. decussata was anatomically studied by Simone (2004), and P. tibia could be compared. Pedicularia tibia has no clear siphon ( Fig. 12C, D ), while the siphon is well developed in P. decussata . The osphradium ( Fig. 12C : os) has several well-developed filaments on both sides, while the osphradium of P. decussata is practically monopectinate.

Geographically, P. decussata occurs from Florida to Barbados,being restricted to northern Caribbean waters. In contrast, P.tibia occurs farther south, from Ceará to Espírito Santo, Brazil. Both species inhabit deep waters and hydrocoral environments. There is an approximate gap of 2,100 kilometers between these regions.

Geographically, P. decussata occurs from Florida to Barbados,being restricted to northern Caribbean waters. While P.tibia occurs far south, from Ceará to Espírito Santo, Brazil. Both species live in deep waters and on hydrocoral.There is a gap between these regions of ~ 2,100 km.

Based on the conchological and anatomical differences, as well as the geographic separation, both P.decussata and P. tibia are considered distinct entities.

Figures

Figure 12. Pedicularia tibia and Cyphoma spp.: (A) replication of some images by Simone (2005) in higher resolution (in grayscale),shell, paratype MZSP 53683, frontal view (L 9.6 mm); (B) same, dorsal view;(C) paratype MZSP 53919 ♀, anterior view, shell extracted,mantle sectioned and deflected upwards; (D) paratype MZSP 53919 ♂, detailof anterior region,whole ventral view.Scales:=2 mm.(E-F) Cyphoma macumba holotypeUSNM 780646 (L 22 mm),frontal and dorsalviews; (G) replication of fig. 2B by Petuch (1979) showing color pattern of C. macumba; (H) living specimen of Pseudocyphoma intermedium, dorsal view from Guarapuá, Bahia,Brazil (courtesy Paulo Márcio S Costa) (L ~25 mm); (I) living specimen of C.gibbosum from Grand Cayman (courtesy Femorale by Marcus Coltro)(L ~25 mm). (J)living specimen of C.gibbosum from Bocas del Toro,Panama (courtesy Rick Stuart-Smith,Reef Life Survey) (L ~20 mm).