Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990)
| | Revised descriptions of New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca from Beu and Maxwell (1990) |
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  (Pl. 13g): GS 9883, N32/f001, cutting, Inland Kaikoura Road near "The Whaleback", North Canterbury, Duntroonian or Waitakian (GNS) |
 (Pl. 13j): GS 9883, N32/f001, cutting, Inland Kaikoura Road near "The Whaleback", North Canterbury, Duntroonian or Waitakian (GNS) |
Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 10; p. 154; pl. 13 g, j.
Classification: Haliotidae
Description: Size moderate for family (greatest diameter 90 mm), spire relatively elevated, subcentral. Protoconch not preserved, teleoconch of about 2 whorls, obtusely angled somewhat below middle on spire, ramp slightly convex, sides sub-vertical with a prominent, narrow medial keel. Last whorl with a strong peribasal angulation, basal flange moderately wide. Axial sculpture of well spaced, rather irregular, prosocline plicae that become less distinct near outer lip, extending from upper suture to whorl angulation, about 19 on last whorl. Spiral sculpture of a prominent cord marking keel on whorl sides, joined on last whorl by one of similar strength just above peribasal angulation, and 8 others of variable strength on ramp, apparently forming short, open spines or scales where they cross axial plicae. Tremata large, conical, 17 on last whorl.
Comparison: The new species is apparently closely related to H. (Notohaliotis) waitemataensis (Otaian, Kawau Island), but differs in having fewer spiral cords on the sutural ramp, and in having spines or scales developed at intersections of spiral cords with axial plicae. The subcentral apex, the prominent spiral and scaly sculpture and the large tremata differentiate this species from other New Zealand haliotids.
By virtue of their rocky shore habitat, haliotids have a very poor fossil record. Only three extinct species have been described from New Zealand to date, but several additional species are known, mostly represented by fragmentary material, ranging in age from Mangaorapan to Opoitian.
Distribution: Duntroonian or Waitakian, Cookson Volcanics, near "The Whaleback", Inland Kaikoura Road (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)