GNS Science

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

New Zealand Cenozoic Mollusca

Lamprodomina neozelanica (Hutton, 1885)



scale

(Pl. 37q): GS5626, C46/f9594, Birch's Mill shell lens, Te Waewae Bay, Southland, early Opoitian (GNS)

Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 14; p. 300; pl. 37 q.

Synonymy: Oliva neozelanica Hutton 1885b, p. 314; Lamprodoma neozelanica; Olivella neozelanica; Olivella (Lamprodomina) neozelanica

Type species of Lamprodomina Marwick, 1931

Classification: Olividae: Olivinae

Description: Moderate-sized for subfamily (25-40 mm high), with conic spire a third to a quarter height of aperture, and long, cylindrical, almost parallel-sided last whorl, tapering slightly anteriorly. Outer lip thin, smooth. Inner lip with narrow parietal callus, weakly concave in outline from fasciole to top of aperture but evenly convex around top of aperture, above aperture uniting with narrow callus band of shallow triangular section that forms upper border of the narrow, deep sutural channel, and is visible as a low white spiral ridge on the otherwise pale brown spire of well preserved shells. Fasciole with 2 prominent grooves and ridges extending around from basal columellar plaits; raised, wide, upper fasciolar band extending to halfway up inner lip, with sharply defined, raised posterior margin, its outer surface somewhat irregularly washed with arcuate callus ridges, chalky white. A further wide, chalky white band, margined by narrow but obvious posterior groove, extends only a third height of last whorl on juvenile shells (height 15-17 mm) but progresses up last whorl as shell grows, emerging from beneath inner lip at about 4 fifths height of inner lip on large shells, and ascending last whorl to reach top of outer lip on large shells; on well preserved specimens wide mid-whorl band is clearly visible because its chalky white surface contrasts with wide, polished, pale brown uppermost band, below suture. Lower columella bears 6-8 low, narrow folds. Protoconch not seen.

Comparison: Olsson (1956, p. 159, 216) pointed out that Lamprodomina neozelanica belongs in a distinctive genus of Olivinae, and its non-spiral mid-whorl groove, climbing the shell during growth, is unique. Fleming (in Watters & Fleming 1972, p. 399) showed that the Chilean Miocene (and early Pliocene?) species L. dimidiata (G. B. Sowerby I, 1846) is congeneric, but we are not aware of any other species of Lamprodomina. The arrival of Lamprodomina in New Zealand during Lillburnian time is among the earliest of many possible dispersals of Mollusca to New Zealand from South America. Differences between L. neozelanica and L. dimidiata are not obvious, and this relationship is under investigation by Sven Nielsen (Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel).

Distribution: Lillburnian-early Nukumaruan; mouth of Patea River, South Taranaki coast, Waipipian (type); superabundant in the Birch's Mill shell lens, Te Waewae Bay, Southland (Opoitian) and widespread (but, at most localities, uncommon) throughout New Zealand in shallow-water, near-shore, soft-bottom facies, in diverse molluscan assemblages. Noteworthy localities are Clifden, Southland (Lillburnian-Waiauan, the earliest record), near the former Ethelton School, Kaiwara River, North Canterbury (Tongaporutuan; common), the Tauwhareparae area inland from Tolaga Bay (Opoitian; common), the Wairoa district of northern Hawke's Bay (Opoitian-Mangapanian), and the Mangahao district, west of Pahiatua, northern Wairarapa (Mangapanian-early Nukumaruan, the youngest record).


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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