GNS Science

Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990)

New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca

Surculites (Notogenota) finlayi (Powell, 1942)



scale

(Pl. 8w): GS9508, J40/f8803, McCulloch's Bridge, Kaiatan (GNS)

Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 8; p. 125; pl. 8 w.

Synonymy: Notogenota finlayi Powell 1942, p. 79; Beu & Maxwell 1990, p. 125

Classification: Turridae: Pseudotominae

Description: Rather large for subfamily (height 30-50 mm), elongate-biconic, spire 0.4 total height. Protoconch broadly conical, of about 5 smooth whorls. Teleoconch of 5-6 whorls, prominently shouldered at or above middle on spire, sutural ramp concave; last whorl contracted gradually, only weakly excavated. Axial sculpture of numerous, rather irregular, narrow, strongly opisthocline costae reaching from suture to suture on spire and about half the length of the last whorl, becoming more widely spaced and weaker on last whorl. Spiral sculpture on spire whorls very weak, of numerous closely spaced threads, somewhat stronger on whorl sides than on ramp; last whorl with more prominent, but still rather subdued, flat-topped cords, some with interstitial threads, over lower part of base and neck. Aperture elongate, subrectangular, siphonal canal barely differentiated, unnotched. Outer lip thin, anal sinus broadly and shallowly arcuate, occupying sutural ramp.

Comparison: Surculites (Notogenota) goniodes (Bortonian ?, Waihao River) is very similar, but has a steeper, less strongly concave sutural ramp and has axial sculpture becoming obsolete at an earlier stage of growth. The very poorly known species S. pahiensis (Bortonian, Pahi) seems to resemble S. goniodes in having axial sculpture restricted to early whorls.

Notogenota is known only from the Bortonian and Kaiatan in New Zealand. It is, however, very similar to the Northern Hemisphere Paleogene genus Surculites Conrad, 1865 and may not be distinct, although Maxwell (1992, p. 153) tentatively retained it as a subgenus of Surculites.

Distribution: Kaiatan, Waihao Greensand, McCulloch's Bridge (type) (uncommon).


Cite this publication as: "A.G. Beu and J.I. Raine (2009). Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990). GNS Science miscellaneous series no. 27."
© GNS Science, 2009
ISBN 978-0-478-19705-1
ISSN 1177-2441
(Included with a PDF facsimile file copy of New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58 in CD version from: Publications Officer, GNS Science, P.O. Box 30368 Lower Hutt, New Zealand)

References

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