GNS Science

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

New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca

Procardia dolicha (Suter, 1917)



scale

(Pl. 9h): GS1286, N25/f8498, Tarakohe Quarry, Takaka, Altonian (hypotype of Marwick 1944, pl. 37, fig. 31) (TM4785, GNS)
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scale

(Pl. 9i): GS1286, N25/f8498, Tarakohe Quarry, Takaka, Altonian (hypotype of Marwick 1944, pl. 37, fig. 31) (TM4785, GNS)

Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 9; p. 132; pl. 9 h, i.

Synonymy: Cardium (Fragum) dolichum Suter 1917, p. 76; C. (Fragum) maorinum Suter 1917, p. 77

Classification: Parilimyidae

Description: Size moderate for family (length 35-55 mm), thin-shelled, inner layer nacreous; broadly trigonal, anterior area very well defined by umbonal ridge, somewhat concave. Lunule prominent, strongly impressed; escutcheon long, narrow, slightly concave. Radial sculpture confined to flanks, of 25-28 narrow, subequal, rather wavy costae. Commarginal sculpture of growth lines and ridges, noticeably stronger on anterior area than elsewhere. Nymphs short, slightly projecting above dorsal margins; internal characters not known.

Comparison: This is the most widespread and hence best-known New Zealand pholadomyoidean, and is readily distinguished from other members of the superfamily by its trigonal shape, its strongly differentiated anterior area, and its fine radial sculpture. Most records are of deformed, articulated specimens from moderately deep-water (upper bathyal) sediments.

Procardia is very similar to Panacca Dall, 1903 (syn. Aporema Dall, 1903), but differs in having a distinct lunule. The genus is otherwise known only from Late Jurassic to Late Cretaceous (Cox in Moore 1969, p. N830), so its presence in the mid-Cenozoic of New Zealand suggests that it persisted here longer than elsewhere.

Distribution: Runangan-Altonian; Whaingaroan or Duntroonian, Cobden Limestone, Cobden or Greymouth (type locality of C. dolichum); Whaingaroan, Magazine Point Formation, The Cliffs, Nelson (type locality of C. maorinum); Waiareka Volcanic Formation, Maheno; Tarakohe Marl, Tarakohe Quarry; Otekaike Limestone, Frenchman's Gully, Pareora; Maramarua Opencast Mine.


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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