OCCASIONAL PAPERS

OF THE

California Academy of Sciences

No. 59, 33 pages, 41 figures. June 30, 1966.

MOERCH'S WEST CENTRAL AMERICAN

MOLLUSCAN TYPES WITH PROPOSAL

OF A NEW NAME FOR

A SPECIES OF SEMELE

By

A. Myra Keen

Department of Geology,
Stanford University, California

(Vlarine Cioiogical is^f-rp.^nrY

L.I BRAR

JULl 11966
WOODS HOLE, MASS.

SAN FRANCISCO

PUBLISHED BY THE ACADEMY
1966

OCCASIONAL PAPERS

OF THE

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

No. 59, 33 pages, 41 figures. June 30, 1966

MOERCH'S WEST CENTRAL AMERICAN

MOLLUSCAN TYPES WITH PROPOSAL

OF A NEW NAME FOR

A SPECIES OF SEMELE

By

A. Myra Keen

Department of Geology,
Stanford University, California *

The Danish malacologist Otto Andreas Lowson Morch, who died of
tuberculosis in Nice, Italy, at the early age of fifty (May 17, 1828 - January
25, 1878), displayed an unusual versatility in the scope of his publications,
which amounted to some 109 titles. He is perhaps best known for his sys-
tematic work on Vermetidae and his catalogue of the Yoldi and Kjerulf col-
lections, but he had gained a competent knowledge in other aspects of mal-
acology also, as is shown by his review of the molluscan fauna of West Cen-
tral America (1859-1861), which was cited first among his publications by
the editors of the Journal de Conchyliologie in their review of his life.

Although Morch's type specimens have in the main not been figured,
his paper is far from being a forgotten one, and some of the specimens have
been borrowed by American authors, as, for example, by Dall and Bartsch,
when they were reviewing West American Pyramidellidae. Knowing this, I

* Research Associate, Department of Invertebrate Zoology,
California Academy of Sciences.

2 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ Papers

hoped, during the preparation of my book on the tropical American fauna, to
have the opportunity to get the illustrations into print. However, the cura-
tors of the University of Copenhagen collection were faced with too large a
task in the reorganization of their material after the vicissitudes of World
War II to search for the specimens, and I was obliged to guess, as others had
done, at what Morch intended by his descriptions or to use the few figures
available in the literature, hoping that identifications had been correct. In
1964, while in Europe, I visited the University of Copenhagen and found that
many of the Morch types had become available. Making what photographs I
could during a short stay, I took notes on the material and thought I might
be able to interpret most of the types from these. However, even with addi-
tional photographs later supplied by the MoUusk Section of the University
of Copenhagen, there still remained gaps. The opportunity for another visit
during the Second European Malacological Congress in August, 1965, gave
me a welcome chance to re-photograph all the material and to look for some
of the still missing lots. Several of these came to light. Morch described
46 species of West Central American marine and brackish-water mollusks.
Type material is discussed herein for all but four of these. Some unhappy
consequences, nomenclaturally, must be pointed out, for several of Morch's
names have priority over names currently in use. Few can qualify as nomina
nhlita. not having been senior synonyms for the requisite fifty years, even
though they were proposed a century ago. In another sense, they are not "for-
gotten" names, for authors have cited and attempted to interpret them on the
basis of the descriptions.

The principal collection that Morch had for study was made by Dr. A.
S. Oersted during a trip to the Americas, June, 1846, to February, 1848. Al-
though Oersted began his trip through the West Indies, stopping off at Jam-
aica for two months, he seems to have been careful to keep his collections
separate, there being no evidence of the mixing of western Atlantic with
eastern Pacific material that could easily have occurred. From Jamaica he
sailed to San Juan del Norte, Nicaragua (also known as Greytown), journeyed
up-river to Lake Nicaragua, visiting Mombacho Volcano near Grenada, then
went to the West Coast at Corinto (Real Llejos--spelled Realejo by Morch).
Here he made three dredging excursions and put out traps, baited with dead
fish, in which he caught Ficus and other scavengers. From Corinto he went
south to Puntarenas, in northern Costa Rica, with especially good collect-
ing results on the small island of Bocorones, Gulf of Nicoya. He returned
across Costa Rica, past the volcano Irazu to "Segovia," which I assume is
the modern Limon. Altogether he had collected well over 300 species of
West American mollusks. Morch in his numbered list recognized 373 species.
However, some of these were from Sonsonate, El Salvador, and in a foot-

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 3

note Morch stated that Oersted had not collected this material, that it had
come in from America separately, but he gave no clue as to the collector.

The paper labels Morch had written are preserved with the extant lots
of Central American material in the Copenhagen collection and their odd
shade of greenish gray was an aid in distinguishing these items when one
was searching for them in the general collection.

Morch used one abbreviation in his account of material that is unusual
—"org." Authors have inferred - rightly - that the word means "fathoms";
perhaps they were aided by his use of "Klafter" in a few places, this being
the German equivalent. I find that "org." is from the Greek orgyia. meaning
the distance that is measured by a man's outstretched arms.

ACKNOVCLEDGMENTS

To Dr. Henning Lemche, Curator of MoUusks in the Zoological Mu-
seum of the University of Copenhagen, I express my gratitude for courtesies
received during my two visits there. I am indebted also to Dr. Jorgen Knud-
sen, who did most of the preliminary work of hunting out the types; without
his aid this paper would have been very much less complete. Illustrations
of several of the smaller forms were made by the Museum photographer, as
indicated in the plate explanations. Dr. Robert Robertson made the photo-
graphs of the Strigilla types, while they were on loan at the U-S. National
Museum.

A grant from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation made possible my
trips to Europe for museum study.

Systematic Review

Explanation of format. In the following list, the original name com-
bination used by Morch introduces the discussion of each species. Modern
systematic order determines the sequence of genera. Type localities are
cited as a part of the original reference. The synonymies given for each
species include only those references considered to be essential for its in-
terpretation and are not intended to be complete. The category "Type ma-
terial" summarizes Morch's statements as to number of specimens and di-
mensions, translated into English (his original descriptions were in Latin
with comments in German). A registry-number system not being in use in the
Zoological Museum of the University of Copenhagen, I have therefore not
made a separate entry for present status but have incorporated my observa-
tions on the content ofthe type lots under "Remarks," with additional com-
ments on nomenclatural matters. However, some corrections of Morch's stated
dimensions have been made, in square brackets, under "Type material." My
conclusions as to the acceptable name for each recognized species are giv-
en as a final sentence in each "Remarks" section.

4 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Class Pelecypoda

Superfamily Arcacea

Area corculum Morch.

Area inaequivalvis^TUguiere] oi SO'KKRfiY, 1832- Genera of Shells, pt. 36, pi. 5, fig.
3. [Not of Bruguiere, 1789, from the Indo-PacifiCj . No locality cited.

Area cardiijormis SowERBY, 1833 ^ot Basterot, 182^. Proc. Zool. Sec. London, p. 22-
San Bias, Mexico; from Cuming collection;length 2 poll. [T.e., about 50 mmj

"Area brasilrana Lamarck" of Reeve, 1844- Conch. Icon., vol. 2, Area, pi. 3, sp. 17-
Figured specimen from Cuming collection, San Bias, probably either Sowerby's
holotype or from the same lot; Sowerby's species cited as synonym Not of
Lamarck, ISIQ, from the Caribbean .

Area bifrons CARPENTER, 1837- Catal. Mazatlan Shells, p. 134- Mazatlan.

Area (Seapharea) eoreulum MORCH, 1861- Mai. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, P- 205 (Jan.). "Area
eardiijormis Sow. Proc. 1833, P- 22, non Bast. A. brasiliana Lam., Reeve sp.
17, p.p. Sow. Gen. f. 3-"

Remarks. In addition to indicating his Area corculum as a new name
for the preoccupied A. cardiijormis, Morch cited a type locality -- Realejo
— and specimens: one entire and three separated valves. Dimensions were
given: "Long. 21, alt. 20 mill." In the Copenhagen collection there are two
entire specimens, both labelled as representing this species. The larger
shell is marked "Panama" within and therefore probably is not one of Morch's
specimens. It is a good representative of Carpenter's form. The smaller
shell comes closer to the stated dimensions. It carries the number "345"
within, which is Morch's list number for the species. It is an Anadara (Cun-
earca) perlahiata (Grant and Gale, 1931). Fortunately, under Article 72 (d)
of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which requires that
the type of a replacement name be the type specimen upon which the origin-
al name was based, we are relieved of the necessity of displacing the Grant
and Gale name, which itself was a replacement for Area labiata Sowerby,
1833, preoccupied . Thus, the holotype of ,4. corculum is either the speci-
men figured by Reeve or one very like it in the Cuming collection. The Reeve
specimen is in the type collection of the British Museum (Natural History).
Morch's specific name can continue to be regarded, as authors have correct-
ly inferred, as a junior subjective synonym oi Anadara (Cunearca) bifrons
(Carpenter, 1857).

Area vespertina Morch.

(Figure 1.)

Area brevi/rons SowERBY, 1833. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 22. Tumbez, Peru.

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 5

Area (Argina) vespertma MORCH, 1861- Mai. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 204 (Jan.). Reale-
jo [Nicaragu^ .

Type MATERIAL. One left valve; length, 7-75 mm., height, 6.25 mm.

Remarks. The holotype is a broken left valve of a juvenile specimen.
The dark beak,, to which Morch called attention, is characteristic of the spe-
cies, and authors have correctly synonymized the species with the form
earlier described by Sowerby. Adults tend to be more elliptical-ovate, es-
pecially if somewhat worn, as in the valves I have previously figured (Keen,
1958. p. 38, fig. 66). Lunarca brevifrons (Sowerby, 1833).

Superfamily Mytilacea

Dactylus carpenteri Mbrch.
(Figure 2-)
Mytilus aristatus Dillviyn, 1817. Cat. Recent Shells, vol. 1, p. 303- Senegal.

Dactylus carpenteri MORCH, 1861. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 206 (Jan.). Puntarenas
[Costa Ricaj , 10 fathoms.

Type material. Number of specimens not stated.

Remarks. Morch stated neither size nor number of specimens. There
are broken fragments of about 14 shells and one entire specimen 90 mm. in
length, figured here as lectotype. He compared the species to Lithophaga
aristata of authors but thought that it differed in placement of the posterior
appendage. The form is now known to be variable as to this calcareous in-
crustation. The generic name Dactylus Morch, 1861, is preoccupied by Dac-
tylus Schumacher, 1817, in Gastropoda. Lithophaga (Myojorceps ) aristata
(Dillwyn, 1817).

Superfamily Pteriacea
Malleus panamensis Mbrch.

(Figure 3,)

Malleus rufipunctatus Reeve, 1858. Conch. Icon., vol. 11, pi. 3, sp. 8- West Colom-
bia, Cuming collection.

Malleus panamensis MoRCH, 1861. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 20Q (Jan.). Puntaren-
as [Costa Rica^ on Pinctada.

Type material. One specimen; length, 14 mm., width, 5 mm.

Remarks. Morch's publication of a name adds yet another to the list
of available synonyms of Reeve's species, one that I overlooked (Keen, 1958,
p. 60). Parimalleus rufipunctatus (Reeve, 1858).

6 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Unionacea

Unio imbricatus Mdrch.

Unio (Plagiola) imbricatus MORCH, 1861- Malak. Bl-, vol.7, no. 5, p. 205 (Jan.). San
Juan de Nicaragua.

Type material. One specimen; length, 31 mm., height, 28 mm.

Remarks. The holotype, which is in the University of Copenhagen Mu-
seum, was figured by E. von Martens, IQOO rBiologia Centrali-Americana,
Land and Freshwater MoUusca, p. 498; pi- 43, fig. 6 a-c). As this is not a
marine form and has been illustrated, I am not reproducing my photographs
here but merely arn putting on record the availability of the type material.

Superfamily Pectinacea

The name P ectcn(Ar^us)ventricosus coccinea^Q.s,^\jih\\s\\ed byMorch
(1861, p. 210), using the style of typeface that was employed to signify new
species, but he did not write out a description or otherwise credit the name
to himself. He cited a figure (Sowerby, Thes. Conch., fig. 26), dimensions
(length. 61 mm., height. 17 mm.), and type locality (Puntarenas). As, how-
ever, in the next paragraph he cited another infrasubspecific name in the
polynomial form"Var. maculis albis," using the same type face, I feel that
he was not intending the formal introduction of a subspecific name. In any
case, it would fall as a junior synonym of P ecten (Aequipecten) circularis
Sowerby, 1835.

Figure 1. Area I'espertina. Holotype, exterior X4.

Figure 2- Dactylus carpenten. Lectotype, here selected x 3.5. Courtesy, Uni-
versity of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 3. Malleus panamensis. Holotype. a) interior right valve; b) exterior,
left valve; c) interior left valve. X3.

Figure 4. Uippella hippopus. Left valve, syntype. x 10. Photograph by Per-
fecto Mary.

Figure ,S. Polyrnesnda pullastra. Holotype. xi.5. Courtesy, University of Co-
penhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 6. Callista Inngispina. Five syntypes. xQ.S.

Figure 7. Venus troglodytes. Lectotype, here selected. Left valve. X5. Cour-
tesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 8- Mactra suhalata. Holotype. a) posterior slope; b) dorsal view; c) in-
terior; d) exterior, x 0.7.

Figure Q. S\actra bislrigata. Holotype. x o.7.

Figure 10. Slrigilla coslulifera. Holotype. x 5. Photograph by Dr. Robert Rob-
ertson.

No. 59)

KEEN: MOERC.li'S W HST AMERICAN MOLLLSKS

8 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Carditacea

Ilippella hippopus Morch.
(Figure 4.)

Hippella hippopus Morch, 1861- Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 200 (Jan.) Puntarenas

[Costa Rica] on pearl oysters.
Condylocardia panamensis OhSSO'S, 1942. Bulls. Amer. Paleont. , vol. 27, no. 106,

p. 186, pl. 3, figs. 9-10. OI.SSON, 1961, Panama-Pacific Pelecypoda, p. 191,

pi. 77, fig- 4- Pleistocene and Recent, Panama.

Type .material. Two or three specimens; length, 2mm., height, 1.7 mm.

Re.marks. Authors have followed Dall in synonymizing Hippella with
I'erticordia Sowerby, 1844- However, the recent recovery of Morch's syn-
types by Dr. Knudsen confirms what I had begun to suspect— that the name
is instead prior to Condylocardia Bernard, 1896. I have submitted a petition
to the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature to suppress
Hippella as a nomen oblitum. for it fulfills the requirements of Article 23
(b) of the International Rules as having been a senior synonym of Condylo-
cardia for more than 50 years. The specific name, however, has been a sen-
ior synonym only since 1942, less than 50 years. Morch's description of the
salient characters of the genus and species are readily interpretable once
one has seen figures or specimens of the Panamic species. Thus, it seems
only fair to invoke priority in crediting the specific name, which — if my pe-
tition is favorably acted upon — will be Condyle card id hippopus (Morch,
1861).

Superfamily Corbiculacea
Polymesoda pullastra Morch.

(Figure ,S)

Cyrena notahilis Df.shwhs, 1855- Proc. Zool. Soc. London (1854), P- 21- Peru. Fig-
ured, Sowerby, 1870, Conch. Icon., vol. 20, pl. 18, fig. 107 (Payta, Peru).

Polymesoda (}-.^eiaria) pullastra MORCM, 1861. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, P- 194 (Jan.)
Realejo .Nicaragua,.

Polymesoda zeteki PiLSBRY, 1931. Nautilus, vol. 44, no. 3, P- 85, pl. 7, figs. 2, 2a.
Chame, Panama.

TvPt-; material. One worn specimen; length, 30.5 mm., height 23 mm.

Remarks. The specimen marked by Morch as "orig." is, as he com-
mented, worn and dead. A second valve now in the box with it may repre-
sent another species. I have compared the photograph of Morch's shell with
the holotype of P . zeteki at the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences, to con-

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 9

firm their synonymy. There is, however, as Olsson (1961, p. 192) has point-
ed out, an earlier name by Deshayes that has been overlooked by authors.
Sowerby's figure does indeed seem to be of the same form. Thus, Morch's
name, based on so poor a specimen, can remain unused. Sowerby stated that
the shell he figured (presumably the type) was in the British Museum (Natur-
al History). I photographed several of the Deshayes types there, but unaware
of the significance of this one, did not make a rigorous search for it. Egetar-
ia. of which P . (E.)pullastra is type by monotypy, seems not to have utility
as a subgeneric division of Polymesoda. Morch gave no differential diagnos-
is for it and did not signalize it as new. Polymesoda (Polymesoda) notahilis
(Deshayes, 1855).

Superfamily Veneracea

Callista longispina Morch.
(Figure 6.)

Cytheraea midtispinosa SowERBY, 1851- Thes. Conch., vol. 2, p. 632, pi. 132, fig.

112. Tumbez, Peru, 10 fathoms. Holotype in the British Museum (Nat. Hist.).
Callista (Dione) longispina MORCH, 1861. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 5, p. 1<36 (Jan.).

Realejo ^icaraguaj .

Type material. "A number of specimens." Length, 31 mm., height,
23 mm.

Remarks. There are 15 odd valves and two or possibly three pairs of
matched valves in the type lot. Morch compared his species to Cytherea lu-
panaria Lesson, 1830, and to C. multispinosa Sowerby; he thought the con-
centric lamellae were more acute than in the former and the spines less
dense than in the latter. Olsson (196Lp.284) regards Sowerby's species as
distinct. Pilar (Lamelliconcha) lupanaria multispinosa (Sowerby 1851).

Venus troglodytes Morch.

(Figure 7.)

Venus (Omphaloclathrumj troglodytes MORCH, 1861- Malak. Bl. , vol. 7, no. 5, P- I'^l
(Jan.). Puntarenas Costa Rica].

Type material. "8 specimens" [Actually, 6 entire specimens and 8
unmatched valvesT]. Length, 5.25 mm.; height, 4 mm.

Remarks. Having only the description as guide, I erroneously synon-
ymized this (Keen, 1958, p. 139) with Inis ellipticus (Sowerby, 1834). In
1964, when I inspected the type lot, I thought that Morch's name would prove
to be a prioronefor Chumepicla Willett, 1954. Olsson (1961, p. 309) makes
the latter a synonym of Tapes s(iuamosa Carpenter, 1857- Having now exam-

10 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

ined the type of the latter and having restudied in 1965 the Morch material,
I am inclined to conclude that there are probably at least three distinct spe-
cies involved. Chione (Timoclea) picta is a more northern form (range, Cali-
fornia Pleistocene to Gulf of California, living) that is larger, more elon-
gate, and with stronger sculpture. The type of Tapes squamosa Carpenter is

a broken juvenile shell of what may be a young Chione. Carpenter's manu-
script figure recently published (Brann, 1966, pi. 9, fig- 372) exaggerates
the sculpture; I plan to publish my own camera lucida drawing in a review
of Carpenter's Mazatlan types. The specimen from Ecuador figured by 01s-
son, 1961, (pi. 49, fig. 10) is longer for the height, with more numerous and
finer radial ribs and more beaded sculpture than Mbrch's best specimen fig-
ured here. However, within Morch's type lot there is some variation in shape
and sculpture^ so that possibly Mbrch's form may be considered to range
from the Central American coast to northern Peru. Chione (Timoclea) trog-
lodytes (Morch, 1861).

Superfamily Mactracea

Mactra subalata Morch.

(Figure 8.)

Mactra (Mactrella) subalata Morch, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 180 (Dec).
Realejo Nicaragua].

Type material. One right valve; length, 55 mm., height, 40 mm.

Remarks. A single right valve has been marked with Mbrch's list num-
ber 235 and is unquestionably the holotype. Morch cited a figure in the En-
cyclope'die Methodique (pi. 251, fig. 2 a-b, pi. 252, fig. 2c) that he consid-
ered a good representation of his species, but it shows a shell not as quad-
rate as his, and the posterior ridge bears no trace of a crest. Olsson (1961,
p. 327, pi. 56, fig. 4) has synonymized Mbrch's species with Mactra alata
Spengler, 1802, an Atlantic form that Olssonconsiders as locally present on
the PacificCoast. However, Olsson's figure is not a close match for Morch's
form. The latter is more broadly rounded anteriorly, has a well developed
crest on the umbonal ridge, remnants of which are preserved on the holotype,
and a sinuous ridge on the posterior slope. Perhaps with an authentic fig-
ure now available, future authors may be able to recognize the form, which
seems to me distinct. Mactrellona subalata (Morch, 1860).

Mactra bistrigata Morch.

(Figure Q.)

Wactra pallida llRODERIP and SowERBY, 1829. Zool. Jour., vol. 4, p. 360- San Bias,
Mexico.

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 11

Mactra (Mulinia) bistrigata MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 182 (Dec).
Realejo [Nicaragua].

Type material. One left valve. Length, 45 mm., height, 38 mm.

Remarks. A single left valve in the Copenhagen collection has been
marked with Morch's list number 239. The form has been correctly synony-
mized with Mulinia pallida by authors, but Morch himself made no compari-
son to that species. Mulinia pallida (Broderip and Sowerby, 1829).

Superfamily Tellinacea

Strigilla costulifera Morch.
(Figure 10.)

Tellina dichotoma Philippi, 1846- Zeit. f. Malak., Jahrg. 3, p. 20, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Strigilla costulifera MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p- 189 (Dec). Sonson-
ate IeI SalvadoT] .

Type material. One right valve. Length, 5 mm., height, 5 mm.

Remarks. The photograph of the Morch holotype accords well with the
plausible interpretation of 5. dichotoma by Olsson, 1961, p. 389, pi. 73, fig.
2. I searched at the British Museum for syntypes of Philippi's species, hav-
ing seen other of Philippi's material there, but detected no specimens of
this form. The Strigilla illustrated as S. costulifera by Hertlein and Strong,
1949 (Zoologica, vol. 34. p. 95, pi. 1, fig. 15), copied by Keen, 1958 (p. 182,
fig. 439), should be called S. chroma Salisbury, 1934, as Olsson (1961, p.
388) has shown. Strigilla (Strigilla) dichotoma (Philippi, 1846).

Strigilla interrupta Morch.
(Figure 11.)

Strigilla interrupta MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 190 (Dec). Sonsonate
[e1 SalvadoT].

Strigilla (Pisostrigilla) panamensis Olssoj^, 1961. Panamic-Pacific Pelecypoda, p.
390, pi. 39, figs. 8-8b. Panama.

Type material. One left valve. Length, 5 mm., height, 4-7 mm.

Remarks. The holotype, although broken, exhibits all of the features
mentioned by Olsson in the description of his species from Panama. Morch
commented in his original description on the sharp flexure that is the dis-
tinguishing characteristic of Olsson's new subgenus, Pisostrigilla. Neither
this nor the preceding species of Strigilla seems to be a synonym of S. cicer-
cula as Olsson inferred from Morch's descriptions. Strigilla (Pisostrigilla)
interrupta Morch, I860.

12 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Strigilla maga Morch.
(Figure 12.)

Tellina cicercul a PmhlPPl, 1846- Zeit. f. Malak., Jahrg. 3, P- 19, Mazatlan, Mexico.
Strigilla maga MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 189 (Dec.) Sonsonate |El

Salvado£j.
?Not Tellina (Strigilla) maga {Wot ch), of Romer, 1871, Conchyl. Cab., ed. 2, Bd. 10,

Abt. 4, p. 189, pi. 37, figs. 4-6 (figures not based on Morch's material).

Type material. Several unmatched valves [actually, five right valves,
two left valves, and four fragments]. Length, 9 mm., height, 8 mm.

Remarks. Morch compared this to the Caribbean S. pisiformis, which
is of a similar size and has pink coloration on the umbones but on the pos-
terior slope shows zigzag flexures, whereas S. maga has only fine parallel
radial riblets. My search for Philippi syntype material of T. cicercula at the
British Museum was unsuccessful. Authors, however, seem to be in agree-
ment on its identification. Strigilla (Strigilla) cicercula (Philippi, 1846).

Strigilla serrata Morch.
(Figure 13.)

Strigilla serrata MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 189. Type locality not

stated.
Strigilla (Simplici strigilla) strata Olsso^ , 1961. Panamic-Pacific Pelecypoda, p. 390,

pi. 39, fig. 7. Punta Blanca, Ecuador.

Figure 11. Strigilla interrupta. Holotype. x 6. Photograph by Dr. Robert Rob-
ertson.

Figure 12. Strigilla maga, Syntype. x 5. Photograph by Dr. Robert Robertson.

Figure 13- Strigilla serrata. Two syntypes. x 4. Photograph by Dr. Robert

Robertson.

Figure 14. Thracia camea, Holotype, interior and exterior, x 1.8.

Figure 15. Amphichaena gracilis. Two syntypes, interior and exterior, x 3.

Figure 16- Semele fucata. Lectotype, here selected, x 3. Courtesy, University
of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 17. Semele verrucosa, Lectotype, here selected. X4. Courtesy, Uni-
versity of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 18. Solen oerstedii. Holotype, with soft parts preserved; foot project-
ing antero-ventrally. x 1. Courtesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure IQ. Pholas retifer. Holotype. x 0.5.

Figure 20. Dentalium lirulatum. Holotype. x 3.

Figure 21. Dentalium oerstedii. Three syntypes. x 2.5.

No. 59)

KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS

13

21c

14 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Type material. Number of specimens not stated. Length, 7.3 mm.,
height, 4.5 mm.

Re.marks. The type lot consists of three valves — two right and one
left. Actual height is 6.5 mm., not 4.5 mm. The oblique and regular sulci
without flexures are distinctive. Mbrch's description evidently was over-
looked by Olsson — for which I offer only sympathy, not criticism, my own
attempts in 1958 in interpreting Morch's Strigilla descriptions proving to be
wrong in three ofthe fourspecies. Strigilla (Simplicistrigilla) serrata Movch,
1860.

Thracia carnea Morch.

(Figure 14.)

Tellina siliqua C. R. AnAM.s, 1852. Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York, vol. 5, p. 508,
546. Figured, Turner, 1956, Occ. Papers on Moll., Mus. Comp. Zool. , vol. 2,
no. 20, p. 85, pi. 19, figs. 15-16. Panama.

Thracia carnea .MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 180 (Dec). Gulf of Nicoya
ICosta Ricaj.

Type material. One left valve. Length, 11.75 mm. [actually, 15mmT];
height, 8 mm.

Remarks. Why Morch should have assigned this form to Thracia is
puzzling, for his comparisons were with a Tellina, and he mentioned hinge
teeth. A good figure of the opposite valve for this species is given by Ols-
son (1961, p. 415, pi. 74, figs. 9, 9a). Macoma (Psammacoma) siliqua (C.B.
Adams, 1852).

Vmphichaena /gracilis Morch.

(Figure 15.)

Donax culter IlANl.FY, 1845. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 14. Mazatlan and Acapulco,
.Mexico.

Donax petallina REEVE, 1854, pars. Conch. Icon., vol. 8, Donax, pi. 8, sp. 51. Local-
ity unknown.

Amphichaena gracilis MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. \^2 (Dec). Sonso-
nate [e1 Salvador] .

Type material. Four right valves, five left valves. Length, 14-5 mm.,
height, 4 mm.; a variety, length 13 mm., height 4 mm.

Remarks. At first glance I took this to be a juvenile form of Amphi-
chaena hindermanni Philippi, 1847 (Archiv f. Naturg., vol. 13, p. 63, pi. 3,

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 15

fig. 7; Mazatlan). However, closer study convinces me that there are two
species of striking similarity on the West Mexican coast, which have been
confused by authors. Olsson, for example (1961, p. 546, pi- 59, figs. 5, 5a-
b), synonymizes A. kindermanni with Donax culter and mades Amphichaena
a subgenus of Donax. What he describes and figures is — as I can demon-
strate with photographs of Hanley's type material in the British Museum —
Donax culter. Amphichaena kindermanni is superficially similar but consis-
tently different and may, rather, belong — as most authors have considered
— in the family Garidae or Psammobiidae. Distinguishing features of Amphi-
chaena are: cylindrical outline, as in Tagelus, the anterior end of shell not
narrowed; pallial sinus relatively short, never reaching the midline; sculp-
ture of fine radial striae, not ribs, interspaces not pitted; inner ventral mar-
gin without denticles along the sinuous part between two light color bands;
hinge lacking posterior lateral tooth, anterior lateral tooth close to cardi-
nals; cardinals compact, separated by a curved slot. The range is from Maz-
atlan southward to Guatemala, most common along the Guerrero-Oaxaca coast
of Mexico. Largest specimen in the Stanford University collection, 37 mm.
in length; the largest in the California Academy of Sciences' collection is
42 mm. In Donax culter. on the other hand, the shell tends to be trapezoidal,
with the anterior end narrowed, especially in young specimens; the pallial
sinus reaches at least to the midline or beyond; the sculpture is of strong
radial riblets, with pits in the interspaces, especially at the ends; the inner
margin may have weaker denticles on the ventral margin, but they can easi-
ly be detected with a lens; hinge with a posterior lateral tooth, the cardinals
separated by a rounded socket, the anterior lateral tooth well separated from
cardinals. The range is from Mazatlan, Mexico, to El Salvador. Largest spe-
cimen cited by Olsson, 32 mm. in length; the largest in the California Aca-
demy of Sciences' collection is 46 mm. I doubt that Donax bellus Reeve is,
as Olsson suggests, a synonym of D. cutler, for my photographs of the holo-
type indicate it is more like D. contusus Reeve, 1854. The type lot of /). pe-
tallina seems to comprise three valves of D. culter and two that may be Am-
phichaena kindermanni. I misinterpreted this species (Keen, 1958, p. 186,
fig. 454), for my figure is probably of D. contusus. Morch's specimens are
juvenile and represent the southernmost end of range of D. culter. The char-
acteristics cited by Morch for distinguishing his species from 1. kinderman-
ni are the longer pallial sinus and elongate anterior end -- hallmarks, as
shown above; of D. culter. It is remarkable that two species from apparently
not closely related stocks should have come to be so deceptively similar
and to have so nearly identical a range. The resemblance between the two
is especially well developed to the south. A study of soft parts of the Am-
phichaena is much needed to demonstrate its true relationships. Donax (Chi-
on) culter Hanley, 1845.

16 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Semele fucata Morch

(Figure 16.)

Amphidesma bicolor C. B. ADAMS, 1852- Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York, vol. 5,
p. 512, 547. Figured, TURNER, 1956, Occ. Papers on Mollusks, Mus. Comp.
Zool., vol. 2, no. 20, p. 35, pl- 18, figs. 7-8. Panama.

Semele fucata MoRCH, I860. Malak. BL, vol. 7, pt. 4, P- 190 (Dec). Sonsonate ^1
Salvado£i .

Type material. Number of specimens not stated. Length, 14 mm.;
height, 12 mm.

Remarks. Apparently there were at least three specimens in the type
lot, for there are now in the Copenhagen Museum one pair of matched valves,
here figured, and four separate valves. Morch compared his species to .S.
bicolor but considered that the shell is largerposteriorly, a difference I fail
to see. I cannot follow Olsson (1961, p. 363) in synonymizing this with S.
lenticularis (Sowerby, 1832) from Ecuador, a form with similar sculpture but
with beaks that are lower and more centrally located. Olsson may well be
correct in synonymizing S. ventricosa (C. B. Adams, 1852) with S. lenticu-
laris and in stating that the photograph of Adams' supposed type of .S. strio-
sa (C. B. Adams, 1852) published by Turner is of a misplaced specimen of
.'^. pulchra (Sowerby, 1832). These misapprehensions will need to be cor-
rected in later printings of my book (Keen, 1958, p. 200). Semele bicolor
(C.B.Adams, 1852).

Semele verrucosa Mbrch.

(Figure 17.)

Semele (Amphidesma) verrucosa MoRCH, 1860- Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. IQO (Dec).

Los Bocorones, depth 20 fathoms j^osta RicaT]
Not S. verrucosa MORCH of authors (see Appendix).

P Semele margarita OLSSON, 1961. Panamic-Pacific Pelecypoda, p. 370, pl. 66, fig.
3. Panama.

Type material. Two specimens. Length 11.2 mm.; height, 8.3 mm.
[actually, length, 10 mm., height, 8.5 mmT] .

Remarks. The Chinese adage that a picture is worth a thousand words
was never truer than in reference to this species, for Morch's description
has been misleading to authors. His two specimens have some similarities
to .S. pacifica Dall, 1915, .S. guajmasensis Pilsbry and Lowe, 1932, and S. jar-
amija Pilsbry and Olsson, 1941, but very little resemblance to the form iden-
tified as .S. verrucosa by authors on the basis of the wart-like sculpture. The
shell in the true S. verrucosa is more elongate than inS. pacifica, with broad-
er concentric ribs and more nodose sculpture at both ends; from ,S. guajma-
sensis it differs by having well developed radial ribbing posteriorly, and

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 17

from 5. jaramija by its wider concentric ribs and more even distribution of
radial ribbing. The nearest relative seems to be 5. margarita Olsson, 1961,
which may prove to be conspecific; Olsson's figure shows a shell with nar-
rower concentric ribbing that is slightly higher for its length, with subcen-
tral beaks. The "warty" sculpture in 5. verrucosa (Morch's specific name
is a Latin adjective meaning "full of warts") is equally developed on both
valves. Mb'rch described the color as yellow with reddish spots, white within.
Perhaps fading has occurred since then; I would describe it as pinkish buff
with darker mottling. Semele verrucosa Morch, I860.

Superfamily Solenacea

Solen oerstedii Morch.

(Figure 18.)

Solen oerstedii MORCH, Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 183 (Dec). Puntarenas [costa
Rica].

Type material. One specimen, in alcohol, Length, 69 mm.; height,
11 mm.

Remarks. Because of the presence of the soft parts in the only avail-
able specimen, internal characters of the shell are unobserved. It is not clear,
therefore, whether this belongs to Solen, in the strict sense, or to S. (Solena).
The outline seems closest to that of .'>. rosaceus Carpenter, 1864, but the
posterior end is more oblique. The periostracum was described by Morch as
being rather thick; a fair amount still remains, even after a century in pre-
servative. The red color near the umbones mentioned by Morch has faded,
and the shell is now a dull yellowish color. It apparently represents a dis-
tinct species. Solen (?Solen) oerstedii Morch, I860.

Superfamily Pholadacea
Pholas retifer Morch.

(Figure 19.)

Pholas chiloensis MOLINA, 1782- Saggio sulla Storia Naturale de Chili, p. 204. Chiloe.

Pholas (Dactylina) retifer MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, pt. 4, p. 177 (Dec). Real-
ejo [Nicaraguaj .

Type material. One broken right valve. Length, 104 mm.; height,
33 mm.

Remarks. Authors have correctly synonymized Morch's species. He
was aware of Molina's species but thought he saw differences in the sculp-
ture -- stronger radial ribs with secondary striae, features that, however,
are variably developed. Pholas (Thovana) chiloensis Molina, 1782.

18 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Class Scaphopoda

Dentalium lirulatum Morch.
(Figure 20.)

Dentalium semipolitum Broderip and Sowerby, 1829- Zool. Jour., vol. 4, p. 369. No
locality stated.

Dentalium lirulatum MoRCH, I860. Maiak. Bl., vol. 7, pt. 4, p. 177 (Dec.)- Gulf of
Nicoya, 30 fathoms (Costa Rica].

Type material. One specimen. Length, 8 mm.

Remarks. As Pilsbry surmised (Manual of Conch., vol. 17, p. 92, pi.
16; fig. 54, 1898), this seems to be a juvenile specimen of D. semipolitum.
The surface is finely striate longitudinally. The holotype is, however. 12
mm. in length, not 8, as Morch stated. Dentalium (Dentalium) semipolitum
Broderip and Sowerby, 1829.

Dentalium oerstedii Morch.
(Figure 21.)

Dentalium oerstedii MORCH, 1860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, pt. 4, p. 177 (Dec). Gulf of
Nicoya, 30 fathoms [costa RicaJ.

Type material. Three specimens. Length, 27 mm.

Remarks. The three specimens are in good condition. They show var-
ying degrees of ribbing. The one with strongest sculpture has been marked
"lectotype," but apparently it has not yet been so designated in print. Den-
talium (Dentalium) oerstedii Morch, I860.

Class Gastropoda

? Superfamily Neritacea
Lepeta puntarenae Morch.

(Figure 22.)

Lepeta puntarenae MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 175 (Dec). Puntarenas
[Costa Rica].

Type material. One specimen. Length, 6 mm.

Remarks. Morch compared his new species to Lepeta caeca, an Arc-
tic form. As one might well suspect, the type, when found, proved not to be-
long to Lepeta. Details as to its musculature are not easy to make out, even
with a microscope, and the apex is blunted. However, one can say that there
are fine and somewhat twinned radial ribs. The apex apparently is posterior
rather than anterior to the midline and seems to be slightly coiled. The faint
traces of muscle scars, which show better in the photograph than they did

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 19

when the specimen was being viewed under a microscope, seem to be those
of Phenacolepas rather than of Acmaea. I conclude,, therefore, that this is
a juvenile phenacoiepad and that it may represent a distinct species. ?Phen-
acolepas puntarenae (Morch, I860).

Superfamily Littorinacea
Lacuna succinea Morch.

(Figure 23-)

Lacuna (Medona?) succinea Morch, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 70 (July).
Bocorones Ins. [Gulf of Nicoya, Costa RicaJ.

Type material. One adult and two young specimens from Puntarenas,
Costa Rica. Length, 6 mm.

Remarks. The identification of this species will probably require ad-
ditional material. At first glance the photograph would suggest a decorti-
cated Littorina. However, the adult specimen did not look to me to be worn.
If this belongs to Lacuna, the chink is small and the outer lip unusually
thick. The two juvenile specimens are smaller and may not represent the
same species; they have a lymnaeid appearance. A specimen in the collec-
tion of Dr. Donald Shasky, which T haveseen, somewhat resembles thisform.
It is distinct from Lacuna succinea Berry, 1953, from southern California.

Superfamily Rissoacea
Alvania perlata Morch.

(Figure 24.)

Alvania perlata MORCH, 1860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, P- 68 (July). Sonsonate jjl
SalvadoT].

Type material. One specimen of the typical form; three specimens of
a variety or color form. Length, 2.75 mm.; diameter, 1.5 mm.

REMARKS. Bartsch, 1911 (Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., vol. 41, no. 1863, p.
347) cited the type material as consisting of a single specimen, with a color
band; he may therefore be credited with selecting the specimen here figured
as lectotype. Erroneously citing the date as 1868, he gave an English trans-
lation of the original description but no figure. Morch's other color form is
white and unhanded and may prove to represent a different species. These
three specimens are also in the Copenhagen collection. This species resem-
bles Alvania clarionensis Bartsch, 1911, but the suture is not channelled
and the spiral ribs are fewer; it is not as slender as A. effusa (Carpenter,
1857); from A. granti Strong, 1938, it differs in being less slender, with nar-
rower spiral ribs. Alvania perlata Morch, 1860-

20 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Rissoina effusa Morch.
(Figure 25-)

Rissoina ef/usa MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 67 (July). Type locality
not given.

Type material. One specimen. Length, 4.5 mm., diameter, 2mm.

Remarks. Theholotype, which is in the Copenhagen Museum, was bor-
rowed and figured by Bartsch, 1915 (Proc. U- S. Nat. Mus., vol. 49, p. 54, pi.
32, fig. 7). Bartsch cited the dimensions as: length, 4.8 mm., diameter, 1.9
mm. I examined the holotype in 1964 and noted that it has oblique ribs and
is a relatively thick, heavy shell; in 1965 I did not, in looking through the
type collection where it is presumably housed, detect it, but having already
studied the specimen, I did not make extensive search for it. Rissoina ef-
fusa Morch, I860.

Ilydrobia costaricensis Morch.

Hydrobia costaricensis MORCH, 1860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, P- 67 (July). Rio Torre,
Costa Rica.

Type material. Three specimens, in alcohol.

Remarks. Although not a marine form, the species is mentioned here
because the typelot--or. rather, the type label-was noted during my search
for the othertypes. Only the label and the base of a glass vial remain. Thus,
the types may be regarded as lost. A figure was given by Von Martens, 1899
(Biologia Centr. Amer., p. 435, pi. 22, fig- 6), but it was not from one of
Morch's syntypes. Von Martens cited the species under Amnicola.

Figure 22- Lepeta piintarenae. Holotype, exterior and interior views, x 6.

Figure 23. Lacuna succinea. Lectotype, here selected, x 6. a) Back view,
b) Apertural view, Courtesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 24. Alvania perlata. Lectotype, selected by Bartsch, 1911, as "type."
X 14. Courtesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 25. Rissoina effusa. After Bartsch, 1Q15. ^ g.

Figure 26. Architectonica valenciennesii. Two syntypes. x 1.

Figure 27. Turritella dura. Three syntypes. x 0.8.

Figure 28. Eulima hipartita. Three syntypes. x 6.

Figure 29. Wurex melanoleucus. Lectotype, here selected (larger of two spe-
cimens). X 0.5.

Figure 30- Milrella cruentata. Two syntypes, larger here selected as lecto-
type. X 8. Courtesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

No. 59)

KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS

21

22 a

23 a

.«^^

23 b

r

26 a

27 a

27 c

28 c^-^

30 a

22 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Architectonicacea

Architectonica valenciennesii Mdrch.

(Figure 26.)

? Architectonica nohilis RODING, 1798- Mus. Bolten., p. 78-

Solarium granosum VALENCIENNES, 1832, in Humboldt and Bonpland, Voy. Inter. Amer.

(Obs. Zool.), vol. 2, p. 269. Acapulco.
Solarium quadriceps HINDS, 1844- Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 23. Panama.

Solarium verrucosum Phii.IPPI, 1849- Zeit. f. Mai., vol. 5 (for Nov. 1848), p. 172-

Locality unknown.
Architectonica valenciennesii MORCH, 1859. Malak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 4, p- 122 (Dec).

Realejo [Nicaragua].

Type material. Six specimens. Diameter, 34 mm.; height. 14 mm.

Remarks. Morch compared his material to A. nobilis Roding but con-
sidered that significant differences were the four rows of spiral granules in-
stead of three, radial sculpture not extending to the periphery, and a larger
umbilicus. He also cited the names of Valenciennes' and Hinds' species
but did not make comparisons. All six of the specimens are in the Copen-
hagen collection. Whetherornot the form proves to be correctly synonymized
with A. nobilis, there are three prior names applying to West Coast material,
so that Morch's name is clearly superfluous. ? Architectonica nobilis Rod-
ing, 1798.

Superfamily Turritellacea

Turritella dura Morch.
(Figure 27.)

Turritella leucostoma VALENCIENNES, 1832, in Humboldt and Bonpland, Voy. Inter.
Amer. (Obs. Zool.) vol. 2, p- 276. Acapulco.

Turritella tigrina Kiener 1843-44. Spec. Coq., vol. 10, p. 29, pi. 4, fig- 2- LocaHty
unknown.

Turritella cumingii REEVE, 1849- Conch. Icon., vol.5, Turritella, pi. 4, sp. 13. Pan-
ama.

Turritella dura MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p- 78 (July). Realejo [Nicar-
agua].

Type material. Seven specimens. Length, 80 mm.

Remarks. Only four specimens are now in the syntype lot in the Co-
penhagen Museum. Morch evidently distributed some of the original speci-
mens, for one syntype was figured by Dunker, 1867 (Novitates Conchyliorum,
ser. 2, p. 103, pi. 34, figs. 3-4). Morch had thought that a spiral band of
lighter and darker maculations at the periphery was distinctive, but Dunker
pointed out that the spots were lacking in the shell sent to him. The fact

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 23

that several names have been proposed is evidence that the species is some-
what variable. Morch's name may now be added to the synonymy. T unitella
leucostoma Valenciennes, 1832-

Superfamily Eulimacea
Eulinia bipartita Morch.

(Figure 28.)

Eulima bipartita \V6rch, 1859. Malak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 5, p. 120 (Dec). Sonsonate"El
Salvador].

Type material. Three specimens, all with broken apices. Length,
7-5 mm.; diameter. 2-5 mm.

Remarks. Bartsch, 1917 (Proc. U.S.Nat. Mus., vol. 53, no. 2207, p.
331) published a translation of Morch's description, erroneously citing the
date as I860. He tentatively assigned the species to Strombiformis. sub-
genus Balcis. The form is apparently distinct but is close to Balcis falcata
(Carpenter, 1865), from Acapulco, the aperture being wider above. Morch
compared it to Eulinia distorta "Sowerby" [I.e., Deshayes inDefrance. 1823],
a species from the Tertiary of France, from which it differed by being broad-
er and more arcuate. All three of the syntypes are extant. Balcis bipartita
(Morch, 1859).

? Superfamily Cypraeacea
Erato marginata Morch.

Erato marginata MORCH, 18CiO. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 85 (July). Bocorones, .10
fathoms £osta Rica] .

Type .m.4TERIal. Number of specimens not stated. Length 4.25 mm.;
diameter, 3.5 mm.

Remarks. In spite of our determined search, both among the small

Cypraeacea and also among the Marginellidae -- with which the form might
have been confused, as other Eratos have -- the type lot has eluded detec-
tion. Whether Morch's original description is of any aid in recognizing the
form is doubtful except for the words "Proxime accedit E. rnaugerse [sic]."
These lend strength to my previous suggestion (Keen, 1958, p. 331) that
Morch's species is a synonym of E. maugeriae panamensis Carpenter, 1856
(Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 162). I was fortunate in locating the types of
Carpenter's species at the British Museum and plan to publish a figure later.
Because both men compared their material to the VVest Indian E. maugeriae,
it seems probably that the type lots are conspecific. PErato panamensis Car-
penter, 1856.

24 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Muricacea
Murex melanoleucus Mdrch.

(Figure 29.)

Murex arjihigiius REEVE, 1845. Conch. Icon., vol. 3, Murex, pi. 13, sp. 51. Locality

unknown.
Phyllonotus melanoleiAca MORCH, 1852. Catal. Yoldi, p. Q6 (nomen nudum).
Murex (Pohplex) melanoleucus MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 100 (Aug.;.

Realejo [Nicaragua .

Type material. Two specimens; dimensions not given.

Remarks. There are three specimens in the Copenhagen lot, all num-
bered with the Morch list number. 168. Because Morch stated, "specim. 2
minora," one may conclude that the two smaller shells were in his hands
and that the larger, which seems to be Muricarithus ni^ritus (Philippi, 1845).
from the Gulf of California area, has been added later. The smaller of the
two is 55 mm. in height, the larger 87- My conclusions (Keen, 1958, p. 356)
as to the synonymy of this form could only be confirmed by selection of the
largest of the three specimens as lectotype, a course that seems unjustifi-
able and unnecessary. Muricanthus ambiguus (Reeve, 1845).

Superfamily Buccinacea
Mitrella cruentata Morch.

(Figure 30.)

Mitrella ( Anachis) crtientala Morch, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 95 (July).
Sonsonate ,El Salvado_ri.

Columbella hurnerosa C.\v.Pf.yi\V.K. 1865. Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 281. Acapulco,
Mexico.

Sassarina (Zanassanna) xenn Pii.shrv and Lowe, 1032. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phil-
adelphia, vol. 84, p. 75, pL 5, fig. 5- Nicaragua.

Type material. 23 specimens (worn). Length, 6 mm.; diameter, 3 mm.

Remarks. Morch's allocation to Mitrella and Anachis doubtless has
been a large factor in the failure of later authors to recognize the form. He
apparently miscounted the number in his type lot, for 4 specimens have been
photographed and still 21 are in the main vial. As he noted, all of the speci-
mens show wear. I have compared the photographs here reproduced with the
type material of the species of Zanassarina described by Pilsbry and Lowe
(these are at the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences) and find that
the one that comes closest to Morch's material belongs to .V. fZ.) xeno rath-
er than IS. (Z.)atella as I had at first judged from a study oforiginal figures.
The holotype of Carpenter's species shows the colorspots, which even come
out in the halftone reproduction (Keen, 1958, p. 383, fig. 438) but might be
mistaken for blemishes in printing. Morch's name cruentata could qualify as

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 25

a nomenohlitum in that it was a senior synonym of Carpenter's for more than
the requisite 50 years; however, Carpenter's species was itself as much of
a "forgotten name" because the holotype was not figured until 1958. The
Pilsbry and Lowe name has not been in the literature as a junior synonym
the necessary 50 years. It seems justifiable, therefore, to recommend that
priority be allowed to operate here. Nassarina(Zanassarina) cruentata (Mbrch,
1860).

Fvlitrella elegantula Morch.

(Figure 31.)

Columbella pygmaea SO'V.'EV.By , 1832- Proc. Zool. Soc. London, p. 119. Santa Elena,
Ecuador.

Mitrella (Astyris) elegantula MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 4, p. 94 (July).
Sonsonate ^1 Salvador].

Type material. "Many" specimens.

Remarks. There are about 50 specimens in the syntype lot, most of
them beach worn, the apertures filled with sand grains. Although in the
northern part of the range of Anachis pygmaea a separable subspecies may
may eventually be recognized, Morch's material falls within the limits of var-
iation of the southern form; hence, the name is apparently a junior synonym
of Anachis pygmaea (Sowerby, 1832).

Pygmaea sonsonatensis Morch.
(Figure 32.)

Columbella /estiva KlENER, 1841 (Not Laborde, 1830). Spec. Coq., vol. Q, p. 15, pi.
11, fig. 4. Locality unknown.

Columbella sonsojiatensis Morch, 185*^- Jour. Conchyl., vol. 7, no. 3, p. 257 (nomen
nudum).

Pygmaea sonsonatensis MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 92 (July). Son-
sonate El SalvadoTl.

Columbella lucasana Dall, 1916 (for C festiva Kiener). Nautilus, vol. 30, no. 3 ,,
p. 25 (July 14).

Type material. One specimen. Length, 8.4 mm.; diameter, 4.5 mm.

Remarks. The holotype is a specimen in good condition. Morch com-
pared the form to Pyrene fuscata. from which it differed by being narrower,
with a shorter spire, but he did not compare it to P. festiva. with which it
seems to be conspecific, perhaps because the latter had not yet been recog-
nized as a West American form. Under the Statute of Limitations of the In-
ternational Code, this name is on the point of qualifying as a nomen oblitum,
for it has been a senior synonym of Dall's replacement name almost the full
50 years. Pyrene sonsonatensis (Morch, I860).

26 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Volutacea

Gibberula coniformis Mdrch.
(Figure 33.)

Marginella polita CARPENTER, 1857- Catal. .. Mazatlan shells .., p. 462- Mazatlan,

Mexico.
Gibberula coniformis MORCH, 18(i0. Malak. BL, vol. 7, no. 2, p. 86 (July). Puntar-

enas [costa RicaJ.
Marginella moerchii RedfIELD, 1870. American Jour. Conch., vol. 6, pt. 2, p. 244

(for G. coniformis Morch, 1860, not Marginella coniformis Sowerby, 1850).

Type material. Four specimens. Length, 2 mm.; diameter, 1 mm.

Remarks. The adult specimen of the syntype lot has been selected by
Coan and Roth, 1966 (Veliger, vol. 8. no. 4, p. 293, pi. 51, fig. 75), as lec-
totype. There are also three juvenile paralectotypes that are somewhat trans-
parent and that have not yet developed the columellar teeth distinctly, one
of which is figured here. The name was unnecessarily replaced by Redfield
and is preoccupied only if both species are classed as Marginella. Coan
and Roth synonymize the Morch species with Kogomea polita (Carpenter,
1857).

Figure 31. Witrella elegantula. Two syntypes. x 5.

Figure 32. Pygmaea sonsonatensis. Holotype. x 5. Courtesy, University of
Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 33. Gibberula coniformis. a) Paralectotype, x 1 2; b) Lectotype, se-
lected by Coan and Roth, 1966. x 22. Photograph of lectotype courtesy, University
of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 34. Volvarina taeniolata. Lectotype, selected by Coan and Roth, 1Q66.
X 1 1 . Courtesy, University of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 35. Pleurotoma granulatissima. Holotype. xs. Courtesy, University of
Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 36. Pleurotoma stellata. Holotype. x 10. Courtesy, University of Co-
penhagen Zoological Museum.

Figure 37. Terebra pachyzona. Two syntypes. x 1.

Figure 38. Tnrhonilla ctnctella. Copied from Dall and Rartsch, IQOP- x 7.

Figure 39. Turhonilla craliculala. Copied from Dall and Bartsch, 1909. x 5.

Figure 40. Turbonilla subula. Copied from Dall and Bartsch, 1909. x 7.

Figure 41. Rissoina contabulata. Holotype. x 20. Photograph courtesy, Uni-
versity of Copenhagen Zoological Museum.

No. 59)

KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS

27

.4 4

31

31a

34 <*

38

f;.0r '..L.miA

36

V

37

!^^%

la

40

28 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Volvarina taeniolata Mbrch.

(Figure 34.)

Volvarina taeniolata MoRCH I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 86 (July). Los Boc-
orones ^Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica], 30 fathoms.

Marginella califomica Tomlin, 1916. Nautilus, vol. 29, no. 12, p. 138 (April 8). Cal-
ifornia.

Type material. Four specimens. Length, 4 mm.; diameter, 2 mm.

Remarks. Under the Statute of Limitations, International Code of Zo-
ological Nomenclature, Article 23 (b)^ this form might have qualified as a
nomen ohlitum, for the name, though cited, had not been adopted in the ma-
jor zoological literature during almost the requisite fifty years. However,
the usage of Volvarina taeniolata has been recommended in a revisionary
work recently — as it happens, a few days ahead of the expiration of the
time: CoanandRoth, April 1, 1966 (Veliger, vol.8, no. 4, p. 287, pi. 50, fig.
48)- They have selected one of Morch's syntypes as a lectotype. Volvarina
taeniolata Morch, I860.

Superfamily Con.-^cea

Pleurotoma granulatissima Morch.

(Figure 35.)

P I eurntoma ( Anna) granulatissima MoRCH, I860. Malak. BL, vol. 7, no. 3, p. 103(Aug.).
"El Poso," thought by Morch to be an error for Los Bocorones Gulf of Nicoya,
Costa Rica^ .

Type material. One specimen. Length, 7 mm.; diameter, 3 mm.

Rem.\rks. The holotype resembles C.latliurella rigida (Hinds, 1843)
but the whorls are more tabulate; also, the ribbing is more irregular, with
the major spiral ribs separated by finer intercalary riblets. The species prob-
ably is distinct. Clathurella granulatissima (Morch, I860).

Pleurotoma stellata Morch.

(Figure 36.)

Pleurotoma (Mangelia) stellata MoRCH, I860. Malak. BL, vol. 7, no. 3, p. 103 (Aug.).
Type locality, not given.

Type material. Number of specimens not stated [actually, one,. Length,
5 mm., diameter, 2 mm.

Remarks. The shell is buff-colored, banded with brown, somewhat re-
sembling Mangelia (Agatha to ma) (juadriseriata (Dall. 1919) but with a longer
canal and therefore a more slender outline anteriorly. Dall described his
shell as white banded with brown, whereas Mbrch characterized his as or-

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 29

ange colored. Morch's specific name was chosen to call attention to the
star-shaped cross section of the whorls caused by the continuous axial ribs,
of which there are 6 to 7 on the last whorl. Mangelia ( A gathotoma) stellata
(Mdrch, I860).

Lachesis craticulata Morch.

Lachesis craticulata MoRCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 3, p. 104 (Aug.). Bocor-
ones [costa Ric£^ .

Type material. Two specimens. Length, 8mm.; diameter, 3

mm.

Remarks. The type lot has not yet been detected. Presumably it should
be in Turridae, for Morch compared the species to Pleurotoma sculptaHinds,
1843, as figured by Reeve, figure 154- Experience with other of Morch's spe-
cies has shown that attempts to recognize them without the type material in
hand are apt to be futile; therefore, I shall not transcribe here the original
description. Until the type material is found, this must remain a species dubia.

Lachesis perlata Morch.

Lachesis perlata MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 3, p. 104 (Aug.). Type local-
ity not given.

Typematerial. No information given as tonumber of specimens. Length,
4.75 mm.; diameter, 2 mm.

Remarks. This lot, also, has eluded determined search. Morch's com-
parisons for this form are confused (he cited "Pleurotoma sculpta" Reeve,
figure 338, which turns out to be a smooth form recorded by Reeve as ''scalp-
ta," whereas Morch's is sculptured). This,, also, must remain a species of
doubtful status until the type material is found.

Terebra pachyzona Morch.
(Figure 37.)

Terebra formosa Deshaves, 1857. Jour. Conchyl., vol.6, p. 65, pi- 3, fig- 6. Panama.
Terebra pachyzona MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 3, p. 105 (Aug.). Realejo
[Nicaragua] .

Type .material. Three worn specimens. Length, 72 mm.; diameter,
15 mm.

Remarks. All three specimens are in the Copenhagen Museum lot and
are, as Morch realized, worn shells. On the basis of the discussion by Camp-
bell, 1963 (Veliger, vol. 5, no. 3, p. 102, pi. 12, figs. 5, 8-13; pi. 13, figs.
3-6), I conclude that Morch's species is synonymous with that of Deshayes.
Morch perhaps was unaware of the latter form, as he makes no mention of
T. formosa in his comparisons. Terebra (Terebra) formosa Deshayes, 1857-

30 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Superfamily Pyramidellacea

Turbonilla cinctella Morch.
(Figure 38.)

Turbonilla cinctella Morch, 1859- >'alak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 4, p. \\^ (Oct.V Sonson-
ate' [e1 Salvadojj.

Type material. One specimen. Length, 5 mm. (incomplete); diameter,
1.2 mm.

Remarks. Morch was uncertain as to the locality from which the holo-
type came. Dall and Bartsch cited it as "Sonsonate, Guatemala." The holo-
type was borrowed and well figured by Dall and Bartsch,. 1909, U. S. Nat.
Mus. Bull. 68, p. 17, pi- 10. fig. 2, as TurhnnillafPyriiiscus) cinctella Morch,
1859.

Turbonilla craticulata Morch.
(Figure 3Q.)

Turbonilla craticulata Morch, 185^. Malak. BL, vol. 6, no. 4, p. 119 (Oct.). Bocor-
ones, 30 fathoms [Costa Rica .

Type material. Three specimens. Length, 8 mm.; diameter, 2 mm.

Remarks. The three dark brown specimens are in the Copenhagen Mu-
seum. One that had been borrowed by Dall and Bartsch was figured by them
as "type," which may be interpreted as selection of a lectotype (U- S. Nat.
Mus. Bull. fS8, p. 104, pi. 10. fig. 1). This figure is reproduced here. The
length was cited as 7-8 mm. They allocated the species as Turbonilla (Pyr-
giscus) craticulata Morch, 1859.

Turbonilla subula Morch.

(Figure 40).

Turbonilla subula MORCH, 18^9. Malak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 4, p. 120 (Oct.). Los Bocor-
ones, 30 fathoms jOulf of Nicoya, Costa Ricaj.

Type material. One specimen. Length (incomplete),. 5 mm.; diameter,
1.2 mm.

Remarks. The type was borrowed and figured by Dall and Bartsch,
1909 (U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 68. p. 17, pi. 10, fig. 3). I examined the holotype,
but because it had been well figured, I did not attempt further study. Dall
and Bartsch allocated the species to Turhonilla (Pyrgiscus).

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 3I

Rissoina contabulata Morch.

(Figure 41.)

Rissoina contabulata MORCH, I860. Malak. Bl., vol. 7, no. 2, p. 68 (July). Sonsonate
[e1 SalvadoT].

Type material. One specimen. Length (incomplete),. 3mm.; diameter,
1 mm.

Remarks. Mbrch compared his hoiotype to Rissoa notabllis C. B. Ad-
ams, 1852- The type of this was lost later by Carpenter, who noted (Proc.
Zool. Soc. London for 1863, p. 15) that it was close to or identical with
Cingula turrita C. B. Adams, 1852. The latter was declared a homonym of
Odostomia turrita Hanley, 1844, by Dall and Bartsch, 1909 and renamed
n. (Ividella) orariana by them (Bull. U.S.Nat. Mus. 68, p. 175, pi. 18, fig.
2). Carpenter stated that R. notabilis also was the same as his Parthenia
quuiquecincta Carpenter, 1857, which was figured by Dall and Bartsch from
Carpenter's drawing (1857, P- 174,. pi. 18, fig. 9). However, both of these
have a greater number of axial ribs than Morch's (16 and 18, respectively,
as contrasted to 14). Morch's form has fewer basal cords (only one shows),
where the others have 6 and 2, respectively. Bartsch, 1915 (Proc. U. S. Nat.
Mus., vol. 49, p. 51), in his review of Rissoina evidently did not borrow all
the types, and thus he did not realize that this form is instead a pyramidel-
lid. He reprinted Morch's original description, in translation. So far as I am
able to determine, Morch's species is distinct. Odostomia (Ividella) conta-
bulata (Mbrch, 1860).

Order NUDIBRANCIIIATA

Several species of nudibranchs were described by Mdrch. If the types
are extant, they would be in the separate collection of preserved material
at Copenhagen, which I did not search. It does seem appropriate, however,
to list Morch's new species in this group:

Elysia oerstediimrch, 1859. Malak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 4, p. 123 (Oct.).

Pleurophyllidia (Ilistiomena) tnarginata Morch, 1859- p. 124. N.B.:
The subgenus is proposed as new, with P. niarginata as monotype.

Doris (Actinodoris?) phyllophoraWoTch, 1859. p. 125.

Doris punctatissima Worch, 1859, p. 125.

Doto ensijer Mbtch, 1859, p. 125.

Order B ASOMMATOPHORA

Superfamily Ellobiacea
Melampus bocoronicus Mbrch.

32 CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (Occ. Papers

Melampus bocoronicus Morch, 1859- Malak. Bl., vol. 6, no. 4, p. 118 (Oct.). Los
Bocorones, under stones high in the intertidal zone ^osta Ric^ .

Type material. Number of specimens not stated,, but evidently more
than three. Length., 12 mm.; diameter, 7 mm.; length of aperture, 8 mm.

Remarks. A thorough search for the type lot was not feasible at the
time of my visit to the University of Copenhagen museum. Thus, the mater-
ial may yet be detected in the general collection. Morch compared his spe-
cies to Melampus minutus (Gmelin, 1791) as figured in Martini and Chemnitz,
fig. 445. Von Martens figured a topotype in 1900 (Biologia Central-Amer.,
pi. 43, fig. 11), and I copied this illustration (Keen, 1958, p. 507, fig. 1020).
I also quoted the comments by Morrison. 1946 (Smithsonian Misc. Coll., vol.
106. no. 6, p. 37) as to the relationships of the species.

APPENDIX

(Proposal of a replacement name for a misidentified species.)

Semele verruculastra Keen, new species.

Semele verrucosa Morch, Hertlein and STRONG, 1949- Zoologica, vol. 34, pt. 4, p. 249,
pi. 1, figs. 21, 24- Keen, 1958, Sea shells of tropical West Amer., p. 202, fig-
504 (copy). Olsson, 19^11. Panamic-Pacific Pelecypoda, p. 366, pi. 65, figs.
1-lb. Hertlein and Kmerson, 1964. Trans San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist., vol. 13,
no. 17, p. 359, figs. 3 i, j, Pleistocene, Isla Coronado, Gulf of California.

HOLOTYPE. California Academy of Sciences, Paleontology Type Col-
lection no. 17996, one right valve.

Type locality. Hannibal Bank, Panama, in 64-73 meters., Lat.7°23'
30" N., Long. 82° 03' W.

Dimensions. Length, 43 mm.; Height, 32.8 mm.; convexity (one valve),
7-1 mm.

Description. This shell was well described by Hertlein and Strong as
elongately ovate, inequilateral, whitish blotched with purple, anterior end
rounded, ventral and posterior margin broadly rounded, the latter with a gen-
tle fold; sculpture of close concentric ribs, broken into scale-like projec-
tions posteriorly and anteriorly, the whole surface finely radiately wrinkled;
hinge of right valve with two cardinal and two lateral teeth; pallial sinus
broadly rounded at end and gently ascending, reaching about 5 '8 the length
of the shell. Olsson's description is in agreement. The peculiar scale-like
sculpture seemed to exemplify what Morch indicated in his description by his
choice of specific name — verrucosa, full of warts. However, as figure 17
shows, the true S. verrucosa has a different kind of wartiness.

No. 59) KEEN: MOERCH'S WEST AMERICAN MOLLUSKS 33

The form here named as new was first taken as a single valve by a
Beebe-Crocker expedition in Panama Bay. Olsson extended the range north-
ward to the Gulf of California on the basis of a specimen in the collection of
the U- S. National Museum, which he figured. This rather generalized local-
ity might be suspect were it not that the form has been recorded from the
Pleistocene in the Gulf. It has also been taken living in recent years at the
Perlas Islands, Panama Bay. The size range is: length 43 to 55 mm.; height,
32 to 43 mm.; diameter (both valves), 14 to 21 mm.

The replacement name here porposed is a modification of the specific
name that has, in the minds of authors, been associated with this form — a
diminutive intended to contrast its small, scale-like projections with the
coarser beads of Mbrch's species.

REFERENCES CITED

Brann, Doris C.

1966. Illustrations to Catalogue of the Collection of Mazatlan Shells by
Philip P. Carpenter. Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca,
N. Y. Pp. 1-116; pis. 1-60.
Keen, A. Myra

1958. Sea Shells of Tropical West America. Stanford University Press. Pp.
xi + 624, illus.
MORCH, O. A. L.

1859- Beitrage zur Molluskenfauna Central Amerika's. Malakozoologischer
1861. Blatter, vol. 6, no. 4, pp. 102-126 (Oct., 1859); vol. 7, no. 2, pp.

66-96 (July, 1860); no. 3, pp. 97-106 (Aug., 1860); no. 4, pp. 170-
192 (Dec, I860); no. 5, PP. 193-213 (Jan., 1861).
Olsson, Axel A.

1961. MoUusks of the Tropical Eastern Pacific particularly from the south-
ern half of the Panamic-Pacific Faunal Province (Panama to Peru):
Panamic-Pacific Pelecypoda. Paleontological Research Institution,
Ithaca, N. Y.: Pp. 1-574, pis. 1-86 (March 10).

MBI, WHOI LIBRARY

UH ITFV J