Page 6 - Mariottinietal'09

10 P Mariottini, C Smriglio, A Di Giulio & M Oliverio

consisting of about 9 well rounded, rather broad Bela trinacria Mariottini & Smriglio n. sp.
ribs extending up to the siphonal canal. Spiral (Figs. 17–24, 25)
sculpture apparently consisting of rows and
small dotswhich are produced by the crossing of Type material Holotype and paratypes A–G from
the spiral ribs and the growth lines. The strength the type locality (ex Brugnone, in Monterosato
of the spirals is variable and neither of regular collection, #16986, two vials, with two hand-
alternation nor of equal strength thoughout. The written labels) in MCZR, (Rome, Italy).
last whorl, including the canal, occupied 0,75 of Type locality Altavilla (Palermo, Sicily), Italy,
the total height, whereas the mouth is abouth half 38°02’N 13°33’E. Pliocene.
the total height of the shell. The outer lip shows Material examined The type material and
a shallow sinus, characteristic for the genus and Guidonia (RM), Italy, 42°00’N 12°43’E, Pliocene:
is sharp and smooth inside. The inner lip clearly 3 sh – Terre Rosse (SI), Italy, 43°26’N 11°01’E,
delimitated on the body whorl. Pliocene: 2 sh.
Height: 4.5 – 6.0 mm. Breadth: 2.1 – 2.5 mm. Description Shell small, of medium size for the
Type material Holotype (RMNH); 41 para- genus, height 8.5 mm and width 3.5 mm, biconi-
types (BMNH, RMNH, USNM and van Aartsen cal, elongate-fusiform, solid.
collection).
Type locality Bay of Haifa, Israel. Protoconch multispiral, dome shaped, of 2.75
Material examined Haifa Bay, Israel, 50–65 m: strongly convex whorls. First 2.3 apical whorls
paratype AD13136 – Sfax, Tunisia, 15 m: 6 sh – smooth; last part with reticulate sculpture of
West Sahara, 30–60 m: 5 sh – Scilla (Reggio oblique axial costae crossed by spiral ribs of
Calabria), Italy, 38°15’N 15°41’E, 40 m: 2 sh – about equal width. Maximum diameter of proto-
Egadi Islands (Trapani), Italy, 37°56’N 12°13’E, conch 0.63 mm. Protoconch-teleoconch transition
50 m: 2 sh – Posillipo (Napoli), Italy, 40°47’N not well marked. Teleoconch of 5.3 whorls, weakly
14°10’E, beached. angulate at about half of the spire, sutural ramp
Distribution The distribution of B. zene- slightly concave, whorl sides gently convex. Last
touae seems nearly completely overlapping whorl about ²⁄3 of shell length. Axial sculpture
that of B. menkhorsti, encompassing the entire of 7–8 prominent, slightly opisthocline, flexu-
Mediterranean Sea and the neighbouring ous and narrowly rounded axial ribs, regularly
Atlantic. spaced, with broader interspaces. Axial ribs fad-
Remarks B. zenetouae is very similar to B. ing out on the shoulder slope and at about half of
menkhorsti, being diagnosed by its paucispiral the base. Spiral sculpture of numerous very fine
protoconch of 1.2 whorls (vs. 2.0–2.2 whorls). threads, densely alternating with interspaces of
Since Fehria zenetouae is evidently more closely variable size. Each interspace consists of one to
related to Bela menkhorsti than to Ginnania tapru- three rows of rounded tiny granules, axially con-
rensis (the reason why we place it in Bela), then nected by a very fine threadlet. Aperture narrow,
the most parsimonious scheme should include ovate, about half of the shell height. Siphonal
Ginnania taprurensis within Bela. canal short, narrow and open. Inner lip with a
moderately developed parietal callus. Outer lip
variced. Anal sinus marked, arcuate on shoulder
slope.

Figures 17a–24 Shells of Bela trinacria n. sp. 17a–b, holotype, Pliocene of Altavilla (Palermo), Italy, 38°02’N
13°33’E, [8.5×3.7 mm] (MCZR). 18a–b, paratype A, Pliocene of Altavilla (Palermo), Italy, 38°02’N 13°33’E, [7.2×3.0
mm] (MCZR). 19, Pliocene of Guidonia (Roma), Italy, 42°00’N 12°43’E, [8.2×3.6 mm] (MCZR). 20, Pliocene of Terre
Rosse (Siena), Italy, 43°26’N 11°01’E, [8.7×3.9 mm] (MCZR). 21a, paratype G, Pliocene of Altavilla (Palermo), Italy,
38°02’N 13°33’E, [7.2×3.2 mm] (MCZR). 21b–c, teleoconch sculpture and protoconch of the specimen in Fig. 21a.
22a, paratype F, Pliocene of Altavilla (Palermo), Italy, 38°02’N 13°33’E, [5.2×2.1 mm] (MCZR). 22b–c, teleoconch
sculpture and protoconch of the specimen in Fig. 22a. 23a–b, paratype D, Pliocene of Altavilla (Palermo), Italy,
38°02’N 13°33’E, [8.5×3.5 mm] (MCZR). 24, original label in Brugnone’s handwriting (MCZR).