TWO ADDITIONS TO THE CENOZOIC (:) OF THE WESTERN ATLANTIC REGION

EMILY H. VOKES TULANE UNIVERSITY NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

It should be an axiom of systematic pale­ there are several beautiful in ontology that there is never a complete southern Australia (Muddy Creek Marl - catalogue of any group. This is certainly Balcombian), indicating that the was the case in the Cenozoic Muricinae, where probably worldwide, although we do not only recently a update d study, with addi­ have the fossils to document this. tions and corrections (Vokes, 1990, 1992) When I originally described the Chipola has been presented. No sooner were these species elusivus (Vokes, 1974, p. revisions published than two additional, 82, pl. 1, figs. 1-4) I suggested that it was unusually spectacular species were disco­ most closely related to the living C. brevi­ vered. As there are no plans for another frons (Lamarck, 1822), which first occurs in revision in the foreseeable future, these the geologic record in the Middle Miocene two species are described. of the Gulf of Mexico area (Florida and Mexico; Vokes, 1990, p. 35), a lthough the Family MURICIDAE Rafinesque, 1815 species does not occur there today. Subfamily MURICINAE Rafinesque, 1815 However, with the discovery of C. wini­ Genus CHICOREUS Montfort, 1810 fredae , n. sp., in the Cantaure Formation, Venezuela, we may have a better candi­ Chicoreus MONTFORT, 1810, Conchyl Syst., v. date for the true predecessor of C. brevi­ 2,p.611. Type species: ramosus Linnaeus, 1758, frons, which more than likely developed in by origina l designatiqn. the and only made a brief incur­ sion into the Gulf during the Middle Mio­ Discussion: Houart (1992) has separated cene, for there is no record of the species the genus Chicoreus into two subgenera: in any Gulfformations after that time. Chicoreus s.s., characterized by having a labral tooth, and Triplex Perry, 1810, lack­ CHICOREUS WJNIFREDAE Vokes, n. sp. ing such a tooth. This division works well Plate 1, figure 1 in the Indo-Pacific but it does not transfer to the western Atlantic. Those species that Description: Shell with six teleoconch whorls preserved in the unique holotype; early whorls I assigned to the group of C. brevifrons in missing (broken and plugged in life). Earliest re­ the aforementioned revision (Vokes, 1990, maining axial ornamentation of eight or nine p. 33) have a much greater morphologic equi-sized ridges, becoming three varices and similarity to the strict subgenus than to the three knob-like intervarical nodes by third tele­ members of Triplex. The only thing they oconch whorl. Varices consisting of elaborately lack is the labral tooth. I find it difficult to ramose processes, one longer at shoulder and a place these American species in the sub­ second just posterior to suture on spire whorls. genus Triplex; therefore, pending Mr. Spiral ornamentation initially of three stronger cords alternating with weaker ones; add1t10nal Houart's anticipated study of the Atlantic spiral threads intercalated until surface of adult species of Chicoreus they simply will be as­ she ll entirely covered by mynad sp1ral ele­ signed to the genus Chicoreus s. l. me nts, varying in strength as primary and sec­ In the stratigraphic record there are no ondary cords, and tertwry threads. Ongmal species of true Chicoreus (as opposed to strongest cords gradually developing into broad, the subgenera and Simtus) low spiral ridges, giving rise at varices to ramose known before the Burdigalian, when there spines, with a small projectiOn along edge of is a virtual explosion of species in both the spine at each spiral thread. On body whorl one Old World and the New. In the New large spine at shoulder, with four smaller spmes a nte rior to shoulder on body portion, and an ad­ World, species of Chicoreus are wide­ diti onal two spines on siphonal canal. In addi­ spread, occurring in the Chipola Forma­ tion to major spines, where secondary spiral tion (Florida), the Baitoa Formation (Do­ cords cross varices, numerous shorter spinelets minican Republic), the Pirabas Formation produced. Suture somewhat appressed. Aper­ (Brazil ), and the Cantaure Formation ture ovate, inne r lip narrbw, smooth, appressed (Venezuela), all thought to be of the same at posterior e nd, free-standing at anterior end. Burdigalian age. By the Middle Miocene At posteriormost portion a strong anal ndge 119 120 Tulane Studies in Geology and Paleontology Vol. 28

combining with edge of outer lip to form an anal brevifrons that is the principal character notch. Inner side of outer lip with several paired distinguishing C. winifredae from C. bre­ lirations; outer margin crenulated in harmony vifrons. In C. winifredae the four anterior with spira l ornamentation: cords producing spines are all approximately the same size. grooves, areas between cords producing for­ Between the shoulder spine and the next ward-directed points. Siphonal canal moder­ ately long, broad, recurved at distal end. Previ­ spine anterior to it in C. brevifrons there is ous terminations of canal forming a small fas­ a relatively strong secondary spiral cord ciole. that gives rise to a smaller spinelet be­ Holotype: Naturhistorisches Museum Basel H- tween these two larger spines. There is no 17655 ; height 70.0 mm, diameter 40.4 mm. such intercalary cord or spine in C. wini­ Type locality: NMB 17516, Cantaure Forma­ fredae. Also, C. brevifons is a more trian­ tion; series of arroyos about 500 meters south of gular shell, much expanded at the shoul­ "Casa Cantaure," which is 14 km (by road) west der. In contrast, C. winifredae has a more of Pueblo Nuevo, Paraguana Peninsula, Vene­ elongate outline. zuela. Discussion: From 1972 to 1982, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gibson Smith, then of Caracas, Genus ASPELLA Morch, 1877 Venezuela, now of Surrey, England, col­ Aspella MORCH, 1877, Malak. Blatter, v. 24, p. lected the Cantaure fauna of the Paragua­ 24. na Peninsula, Venezuela. Upon their re­ Type species: Ranella anceps Lamarck, 1822, turn to England, they donated their entire by monotypy. collection to the Naturhistorishes Museum, Discussion: The genus Aspella first oc­ Basel, from where Peter Jung kindly for­ curs in the Oligocene of Dax, France, and warded to me the type specimen of this does not appear in the New World before new species. It was collected by Mrs. the Early Pliocene, with a Recent species, Winifred Gibson Smith, December 23, A. castor Radwin and D'Attilio, 1976, re­ 1977, and it gives me great pleasure to ported from the Gurabo Formation of the name this species in her honor. Dominican Republic (Vokes, 1989, p. 58, The Gibson Smiths provisionally iden­ pl. 7, fig. 12). tified the specimen as "Chicoreus aff. bre­ In Florida, the Recent species Aspella vifrons" and this is indeed the species to senex (Dall, 1889) is rare in the Middle Plio­ which it has the closest resemblance. Both cene Pinecrest beds (Vokes, 1975, p. 132) C. brevifrons and C. winifredae differ from but becomes slightly more abundant in the the superficially similar appearing contem­ younger Caloosahatchee and Bermont for­ pory C. elusivus in that the latter has a mations. This species is not ever widely total of six varical spines (one .large and collected, due to its small size (maximum five small) on each body whorl . The height under 15 mm). other two have one large and four smaller Petuch has figured two specimens iden­ spines, although in C. brevifrons the sec­ tified as A. castor and A. senex (1994, pl. ondary spine adjacent to the shoulder 43, figs. L and Q, respectively), the first spine often becomes almost as large as the said to be from "Unit 10" and the second shoulder spine, making this species im­ from "Unit 7" at the APAC pit, Sarasota, mediately recognizable whenever seen Florida ( = locality TU 1000). The speci­ (see pl. 1, ftg. 2). It is this latter trait of C. men of "A. castor" is just a small example

PLATE 1 1. Chicoreus winifredae Vokes, n . sp. (X 1 1/4) NMB H-17655 (holotype); height 70.0 mm, diameter 40.4 mm. Locality: NMB 17516, Paraguana Peninsula, Venezuela; Cantaure Formation. 2. (Lamarck, 1822) (X 1 1/4) Vokes Collection; height 70.0 mm, diameter 48.0 mm. Locality: Paraguana Peninsula, Venezuela, under rocks at low tide; Recent. 3. Aspella petuchi Vokes, n. sp. (X 3) USNM 842064 (holotype); height 25.3 mm, diameter 10.7 mm. Locality: TU 1000, Sarasota, Florida; Pinecrest beds. No. 4 Two New Cenozoic Muricidae 121

3b

PLATE 1 122 Tulane Studies in Geology and Paleontology Vol. 28 of A. senex but the specimen of "A. senex" 1976, in the eastern Pacific, are a ll marked is more slend er and is probably another by much more expanded varical flanges. example of the species described below. The only western Atlantic species some­ The holotype of this n ew species was col­ what similar to A. petuchi is the small A. lected by Dr. P etuch from "Unit 7" at cryptica Radwin and D'Attilio, 1976 (usu­ APAC, and identifi ed by him as ''A. ally under 10 mm in length; see Vokes, senex." 1992, pl. 12 , fig. 7), which differs in lacking the enlarged axial ridge adjacent to the ASPELLA PETUCHl Vokes, n. sp. varix seen in a ll of the other species men­ Plate 1, figure 3 tioned. Description: La nceola te she ll , la rge for the The type specimen was collected by Dr. genus; seven teleoconch whorls, protoconch Edward J. P etuch at the APAC pit in 1990, mi ssing. Axi a l ornamenta ti on on first four te leo­ and was presented to me by him. I am conch who rl s of six equally rounded ridges; by pleased to name this remarkable addition fifth whorl two of these on opposite sides of she ll to th e genus Aspella in his honor. becoming stronger, forming narrow stra p-like varices, giving a dorso-ventral nallening to LITERATURE CITED shell. Othe r ridges remaining as inte rvarica l swellings,·two betwee n each pair of varices, that HOUART, ROLAND, 1992, The genus Chicor­ one located abapertura ll y to eacli varix stronger eus a nd related genera (Gastropoda : th a n the other. Varica l margins gently rounded Muricidae) in the Indo-West P acific: Mus. except a t base of body whorl w here a small in ­ Natl. Hist. Nat. , Me m ., v. (Al 154 , 188 p. , 480 curving breaks simple cur ved line. Only faint figs. spiral cords, about five on body whorl, othe r­ PETUCH, E.J. , 1994, Atlas of Florida fo ssil w ise she ll smooth between axial ornamentation. shel ls (Plioce ne and Ple istoce ne marine gas­ In life she ll covered by a thi ck cha lk y intrilacalx. tropods) . Chicago Spectrum Press, Evans­ when worn di spl aying a network of fin e spiral ton , Illinois, 394 p., 100 pis., 19 te xt-figs. tubes. Suture impressed , crossed by buttresses RADWIN, G.E. , and ANTHONY D'ATTILIO formed at a pical e nd of inte rvarical ridges. Ap­ 1976, Murex she ll s of the world; an illustrated e rture sma ll, oval, no anal notch; inne r lip guide to the Muricidae. Sta nford University smooth, a ppressed e ntire length. Inner sid e of Press, Sta nford, Ca lifornia, 284 p ., 32 pi s., outer lip with about e ight small denticles. Si­ 192 text-figs. phona l canal short, broad, slightly recurved a t VOKES, E.H. , 1974 , Notes on Chicoreus (Mol­ di sta l e nd ; te rmination of previous canal di verg­ lusca:Gastropoda) from the Cenozoic of the ing as a spur besid e present canal. western Atlantic region, with the description Holotype: USNM 842064; height 25 .3 mm, di­ of ne w species: Tulane Stud. Geol. Paleont. , ameter 10. 7 mm. v. 11 , no. 2, p. 81-95 , pi s. 1-3. T ype locality: T U 1000. Pinecr·est beds; APAC VOKES, E.H. , 1975 , Cenozoic Muricidae of the pits a t east e nd of 17th St. , about 8 miles east of western Atl a ntic region. P a rt VI - Aspella U.S. Highway 301 I now northwest of Fruitville and Dennornure:x:: Tulane Stud. Geol. Rd. exit, I-75], at Sarasota (T36S. R19E), Paleont. , v. 11 , no. 3, p. 121-162, pis. 1-6 , 2ta­ Sarasota Co., Florida. bles, 1 text-fig. VOKES, E .H., 1989, Neogene Paleontology in Discussion: Although id entified as A. the northern Dominican R e public. 8. The senex by P etuch, this species differs in the family Muricid ae (:Gastropoda) : more e longate outline and the larger size. Bulls. Amer. P a leontology, v. 97 , no. 332 , p. In general outline it is more simila r to the 5-94 , pi s. 1-12,3 tables, 21 text-figs. eastern P acific A. pymrnidalis (Brode rip, VOKES. E.H. , 1990, Ce nozoic Muricidae of the 1833), which is a lso generall y a sm a ll e r western Atl antic region. P a rt VIII - Mure:x; she ll (although R a dwin and D 'Attilio, 1976, s.s., Hcmstellnrn , Chicoreus , and H e.raplex; p. 23, give 21 mm as a maximum size and Cldditions and corrections : Tula ne Stud. Geol. Paleont., v. 23, nos. 1-3, p. 1-96 , pis. 1- figure one she ll[pl. 1, fig. about 19 mm, 51 12, 2 ta bles, 2 text-f'i gs. unde r 15 mm seems to be the "normal'' size VOKES, E.H., 1992, Cenozoic Muricidae of the for the species). The intervarical buttres­ western Atl antic region. Part IX - Pteryno­ ses are much more a ppressed in A. tus. Poirier-ia. Aspc>Lln. Denrwmm·e.r, Calo­ pymrnidalis (see Vokes, 1975 , pl. 1, fi g. 13 ). trophon. Awntlwlu.bin, and Attiliosa; addi­ The three similar a ppearing species , A . tions and corrections: Tula ne Stud. Geol. senex a nd A. castor in the western Atlan­ Paleont., v. 25, nos. 1-3, p. 1-108. pi s. 1-20, 2 tic, and A. pollu::r Radwin and D'Altilio, tables, 10 text-fig s.

Novembe r 15 , 1995