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. 20r): GS11283, J39/f9500C, Bluecliffs, Otaio River, Otaian (GNS) |
Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 11; p. 195; pl. 20 r.
Synonymy: ‘T. maccoyi’ of authors (not of Tenison Woods, 1876); Typhis hebetatus Hutton 1877b, p. 594
Classification: Muricidae: Typhinae
Description: Size moderate for genus (height 25-35 mm), biconic, spire about half total height. Protoconch mamillate, of 1.5 smooth whorls. Teleoconch of about 6 whorls, rather indistinctly angled near middle on spire; last whorl excavated with a moderately long neck. Varices of narrowly triangular section, not present on sutural ramp, extending across base of last whorl onto upper part of siphonal canal, terminal varix bearing 6 backwards-curved hollow triangular spines, the topmost considerably larger than the others and typically the only one exposed on spire whorls; 5 varices on last whorl. Between each pair of varices a prominent, straight tube bent sharply backwards at 50-60°, the last one opening into aperture. Spiral sculpture of feeble, irregular threads between varices. Aperture ovate, peristome continuous, raised; siphonal canal flattened in apertural plane, closed; previous 2 canals retained on well preserved shells.
Comparison: Typhis adventus (Duntroonian-Otaian, South Canterbury and North Otago) is similar, but is more slender and has two variceal spines (rather than only one) exposed on spire whorls. T. aculeatus (Altonian-Lillburnian, Clifden) has much more prominent and more nearly radial variceal spines than T. hebetatus.
Typhis (sensu stricto) has a recorded range of Bortonian to Waiauan, and possibly to Tongaporutuan, in New Zealand.
Distribution: Waitakian-Altonian; Mount Harris Formation, Mt Harris, Altonian (type); Awamoa Creek; Target Gully Shellbed; Ardgowan Shellbed; Bluecliffs, Otaio River; Mt Horrible, Pareora River; Brother's Stream, Hakataramea Valley; upper Tengawai River. All records are from moderately deep-water (mid-shelf to upper bathyal) assemblages.
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
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copy of New Zealand Geological Survey Paleontological Bulletin 58 in CD version
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