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Volume 59, 1928
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– 363 –

Radula.

The extremely simple degenerate radulae of the Volutidae are of little use for classification, as, in the majority of the genera (based on nuclear characters) only the central tooth remains, and it is almost invariably tricuspid. Alcithoe has this common type of radula but it is possible to detect minor specific differences in the form of the tooth and its cusps as illustrated by the accompanying diagrams.

1. Represents 3 of the 69 rows from the radula of Alcithoe arabica (Puketutu Island, Manukau Harbour, on tidal mud-flats. Three radulae compared, characters found constant).

– 364 –

2. Represents 3 of the 86 rows from the radula of Alcithoe johnstoni (paratype).

Compared with arabica the individual teeth of johnstom are more deeply excavated at base and the cusps are shorter and stronger.

List of New Zealand Recent Volutes.
(with references).

  • Waihaoia (Pachymelon) lutea (Watson) (4, p. 449 & 2, p. 282).

  • Iredalina mirabilis Finlay (1, p. 59).

  • Alcithoe arabica (Martyn) (4, p. 445).

  • Alcithoe depressa (Suter) (4. p. 447).

  • Alcithoe jaculoides (Powell) (3, p. 108).

  • Alcithoe swainsoni Marwick (2, p. 294).

  • Alcithoe swainsoni motutaraensis n. sub sp.

  • Alcithoe larochei Marwick (2, p. 294).

  • Alcithoe calva n. sp.

  • Alcithoe johnstoni n. sp.

  • Alcithoe gracilis (Swainson) (4, p. 448).

  • Alcithoe hedleyi (Murdoch & Suter) (4, p. 448).

Literature Cited.

1. Finlay, H. J., 1926. On Iredalina a New genus: A Volute without plaits. Pro. Mal. Soc., vol. 17, pt. 1, pp. 59-62.

2. Marwick, J., 1926. Tertiary and Recent Volutidae of New Zealand. Trans. N.Z. Inst., vol. 56, pp. 259-303.

3. Powell, A. W. B., 1924. Description of a new subspecies of Alcithoe arabica Martyn from New Zealand. Pro. Mal. Soc., vol., 16, pt. 2.

4. Suter, H., 1913. Manual of the New Zealand Mollusca.

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1. Murdochia aranea n. sp. (3 mm. 1.5 mm.)
2. Aeschrodomus worleyi n. sp. (2 mm. 2.6 mm.)
3-4. Egestula spectabilis n. sp. (0.7 mm. 1.5 mm.)
5. Laoma (Phrixgnathus) larochei n. sp. (2.25 mm. 2.3 mm.)

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6. Cavellia spelaea n. sp. (2.5 mm. 5.25 mm.)

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