THE NAUTILUS 102(4):154-158, 1988
Page 154
A New Species of Intertidal Terebra from Brazil
Kurl Auffenberg
Malacolog> Division
Florida Museum of Natural History
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611. USA
Harry G. Lee
709 Uomax Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204, USA
ABSTRACT
Terebra imitatrix new species is described from northern Brazil
and compared to morphologically similar species of Hastnla.
The three known terebrid feeding types are briefl\ reviewed.
Dissection of the foregut of this new species revealed characters
that overlap two of the major feeding types.
Key words: Gastropoda; Terebridae; Terebra; anatom\ : Bra-
INTRODUCTION
While compiling distributional records of the West At-
lantic Hastula cinerea species group, the junior author
located an unidentified lot of 23 specimens from Brazil
in the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
(ANSP 299957). These specimens were compared to the
known terebrids from the Atlantic and were found to
belong to a distinct undescribed species. An additional
lot of the same species was subsequently found in the
American Museum of Natural History (AMNH 129280).
Matthews et al. (1975:99, fig. 31) in their treatment of
Hastula ciiterea describe and illustrate a protoconch con-
sistent with this new species. The Brazilian specimens of
Hastula salleana (Deshayes, 1859) figured by Rios (1970:
123, pi. 47, 1975:127, pi. 38, fig. 560, 1985:131, pi. 45)
are probably referable to this new species, but the figured
specimen was unavailable for examination. This paper
describes this new species and compares it with mor-
phologically similar species of Hastula. A description of
the foregut anatomy reveals that it does not conform to
any of the three known feeding types, which are re-
viewed herein.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Only shells possessing 10 or more teleoconch whorls and
with intact protoconchs and apertures were measured
with Vernier calipers. All dissections were made under
a Wild M-5 dissecting micro.scope and line drawings
made with the aid of a camera lucida. Description and
discussion of the anatomy is limited to the foregut due
to poor preservation in the upper whorls. Anatomical
and protoconch measurements were made with an ocular
micrometer and converted to millimeters. Terminology
follows that of Miller (1970, 1971). Two preserved but
completeK retracted adult specimens of the new species
(ANSP 299957), Hastula maryleeae Burch (UF 113539)
and Hastula salleana (Deshayes) (UF 48197, 113540),
were dissected from each lot. Two dried-in specimens of
Hastula maryleeae Burch (T. Bratcher collection) were
rehydrated in a weak solution of potassium h\dro.\ide,
transferred into water, and dissected. The radular sac
was extracted and dissolved in a weak solution of potas-
sium hydroxide. Radular teeth were individual!} mount-
ed on scanning electron microscope specimen stubs cov-
ered with double-sided tape. Micrographs were made
with a Hitachi 5-415.^ scanning electron microscope.
Repositories of examined specimens are indicated by
the following abbreviations:
AMNH American Museum of Natural Histor\'
ANSP Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia
UF Florida Museum of Natural History
SYSTEMATICS
Family Terebridae Morch, 1852
Genus Terebra Bruguiere, 1789
Terebra imitatrix new species
(figures 1-6, 8, 9, table 1)
Description: Shell (figures 1-3, 6) medium in size,
broadening anteriorK ; color variable, ranging from
banded, or cream, to purplish-brown; teleoconch whorls
10-12; sides flat to slightly convex. Protoconch whorls
1.5-2.0; glassy, transparent (figure 6). .\xial sculpture of
close-set, recurved ribs of \ariable strength, generally
distinct near the suture, becoming obsolete anteriorly;
major axial ribs 34-57 (x = 41.6) on the penultimate
whorl. Spiral sculpture of very faint microscopic incised
lines most distinct in the intercostal spaces on the upper
whorls, obsolete on later whorls, rarely cro.ssing the axial
ribs; spiral rows of pits absent. Last whorl with obsolete
axial ribs and spiral incised lines; color pattern variable,
typicalK of five diffuse color bands: one white pre-sutural
band usiialK w ith distinct brown spots that become ob-
solete toward apertural lip, one broad bluish-black zone
at shoulder, one pinkish band at periphery, one purplish-
BioStor
