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. 7s): GS9508, J40/f8803, McCulloch's Bridge, Kaiatan (GNS) |
Beu & Maxwell (1990): Chapter 8; p. 118; pl. 7 s.
Synonymy: Strombiformis waihaoensis Allan 1926, p. 339; Eulima (sensu lato) waihaoensis, Beu & Maxwell 1990, p. 118; Margineulima waihaoensis, Maxwell 1992, p. 119
Classification: Eulimidae
Description: Rather large for family (height 15-20 mm), subulate, spire elevated. Protoconch narrowly conical, scarcely distinguishable from teleoconch, of about 3 smooth whorls. Teleoconch of up to 14 gently convex or flat-sided whorls, sutures not very distinct; last whorl contracted rather rapidly, base almost flat, periphery rounded. No sculpture apart from weak growth lines and, at irregular intervals, labial scars. Aperture ovate, constricted adapically; columella gently concave. Outer lip thin, opisthocline, feebly concave on adapical half.
Comparison: Eulimids have relatively featureless shells and fossil species are difficult to assign to the numerous genus-group taxa that have been proposed in the family largely on the basis of anatomical characters. Margineulima waihaoensis is one of the largest species recorded from New Zealand; M. otaioensis (Otaian, Bluecliffs, South Canterbury) is about the same size but has more strongly convex whorls and more distinct sutures. Maxwell (1992, pp. 119-120) assigned these two species and the Nukumaruan-Castlecliffian species M. christyi (Marwick, 1924) to Margineulima Cossmann, 1888 on the basis of their much larger size than all other New Zealand eulimids, "at least until someone tackles the daunting task of revising the New Zealand Cenozoic eulimid fauna". Maxwell (1992, p. 120) pointed out that M. christyi has a much taller last whorl than M. waihaoensis.
Distribution: Kaiatan-Runangan; Kaiatan, Waihao Greensand, McCulloch's Bridge (type) (uncommon); Totara Limestone, Trig M, Totara (rare).
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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