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

Conus armoricus Suter, 1917

(Pl. 26o): Paratype, Pakaurangi Point, Kaipara Harbour, Otaian or Altonian (TM6856, GNS)

Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 11; p. 233; pl. 26 o.

Synonymy: Conus (Leptoconus) armoricus Suter 1917, p. 61

Classification: Conidae: Coninae

Description: Small for family (height c. 25 mm), biconic, spire low, 0.2 total height. Protoconch conical, of about 4 smooth whorls. Teleoconch of 7-8 whorls, sharply angled a very short distance above suture; last whorl gently convex posteriorly, weakly excavated below. Axial sculpture of weak nodules on periphery of first whorl, and fine arcuate growth ridges on sutural ramp. Spiral sculpture of feeble threads on ramp on some shells, and 10-12 grooves of variable width on anterior part of last whorl. Aperture narrow, inner and outer lips almost straight and parallel; outer lip with U-shaped sinus on ramp.

Comparison: This rather nondescript species is similar to Conilithes wollastoni (Pl. 22v) in some respects, but is consistently lower-spired, and has peripheral nodules confined to the first teleoconch whorl. C. lyratus (= C. marshalli Finlay, 1926, unnecessary name change; Otaian-Altonian, Pakaurangi Point) is similar in shape and axial sculpture to C. armoricus, but has spiral grooves over the whole of the last whorl; its status is uncertain, but it is probably a distinct species.

Distribution: Otaian-Altonian, Pakaurangi Formation, Pakaurangi Point, Kaipara Harbour (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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