Clypeomorus nympha Houbrick 1985

Clypeomorus nympha

Cerithium variegatum Quoy and Gaimard, 1834:129, pl. 55: fig. 17 [lectotype, here selected: MNHNP, no number; type-locality: Tongatapu; 2 paralectotypes, largest selected as lectotype, smaller specimen is not Cerithium variegatum; not C. variegatum Fischer, 1807, nor Menke, 1829, nor Folin, 1869].—Sowerby, 1855:870–871, pl. 182: figs. 166–169 [in part]; 1865, pl. 7: fig. 41 [in part].—Tryon, 1887:134, pl. 24: figs. 41, 43, 45, pl. 25: figs. 65, 66 [pl. 25: figures not C. variegatum Quoy and Gaimard, 1834].—Kobelt, 1893:120–122, pl. 23: figs. 4, 5, pl. 27: figs. 8, 9.

Cerithium zonale Quoy and Gaimard, 1834:133, pl. 55: fig. 9 [holotype: MNHNP, no number; type-locality: not given; not C. zonale Bruguière, 1792].

Cerithium pupa Sowerby, 1865, pl. 12: fig. 84 [lectotype: BMNH, no number; type-locality: Capul, Philippines; not C. pupa J. Martin, 1863].—Sowerby, 1855, pl. 12 [1866] fig. 308.—Tryon, 1887:133, pl. 24: fig. 28.—Kobelt, 1898:235, pl. 41: fig. 12.

Cerithium tuberculatum var. variegatum.—E.A. Smith, 1884: 63–64.—Schepman, 1909:161.

Cerithium sejunctum Iredale, 1929:278 [new name for Cerithium variegatum Quoy and Gaimard, 1834; not Cerithium sejunctum Zekeli, 1852].—Demond, 1957:293, fig. 10.

DESCRIPTION.—Shell (Figure 56; Table 32): Adult shell pupiform, reaching 21 mm in length and having teleoconch of 9 whorls with an apical angle of 45 degrees. Whorls inflated, upper whorls attenuate, concave in outline, becoming globose in penultimate whorl. Body whorl slightly less globose. Protoconch unknown. Early whorls sculptured with three spiral cords and axial riblets presenting an overall reticulate appearance. Adult whorls sculptured with 3 beaded spiral cords. Beads are rounded and line up to form axial ribs. There are about 14 ribs on the penultimate whorl. Axial ribs less defined or lacking on body whorl. There are several microscopic spirally incised lines between the spiral cords. Suture distinct, wavy. Former varices present; largest varix on dorsal surface of body whorl at a 45 degree angle to axis of shell when viewed anteriorly. Body whorl elongate, somewhat constricted, about one-half the shell length. Body whorl sculptured with 8 weakly beaded spiral cords; largest spiral cord with most prominent beads is subsutural. Edge of outer lip thickened. Aperture ovate, violet, a little less than one-fourth the shell length. Columella concave with distinct columellar lip. Anterior siphonal canal short, deeply incised, slightly reflected, and at a 50 degree angle to shell axis. Anal canal distinct, defined by columellar plait that extends into shell aperture. Outer lip smooth, curved, and pendent with its base lower than the anterior siphonal canal. Plane of outer lip parallel to shell axis. Periostracum not evident. Shell color variable; white with brown, tan, or orange blotches, and spiral bands of brown spots. Brown bands sometimes present. Operculum thin, tan, corneous with eccentric nucleus.

Radula (Figure 57; Table 33): Radula ribbon about one-sixth the shell, length, comprising 13 rows of teeth. Shell length/radula length index 5.81. Rachidian tooth (Figure 57b) pentagonal, slightly concave on top, rounded on sides, and bearing 1 large central spade-shaped cusp flanked by 2 blunt denticles on each side. Denticle adjacent to central cusp is largest. Basal plate of rachidian tooth triangular with centrally placed extension. Lateral tooth (Figure 57b,d) rhomboidal with long laterobasal extension of basal plate, which twists where it is attached to radular membrane. Basal plate of lateral tooth with long median downwardly directed buttress. Center of buttress has tiny raised pustule. Top of lateral tooth concave with cutting edge bearing large spade-shaped median cusp, flanked on inner side by smaller sharp-pointed denticle and on outer side by 2 widely separated pointed denticles. Lateral extension of basal plate of lateral tooth has a flange directly adjacent to cutting edge of tooth. Marginal teeth (Figure 57c) long, sinuous, having moderately wide shafts. Tips of marginal teeth spatulate. Inner marginal tooth has long chisel-shaped center denticle flanked on inner side by 2 closely set pointed denticles and by 1 inner pointed denticle. Outer marginal tooth same, only lacking outer denticle.

Animal (Figure 58): Head-foot cream colored, with brown and tan maculations, and covered with tiny white spots. Tentacles striped with broken lines of black and yellow. Black eyes surrounded with orange pigment. Ciliated groove runs down right side of foot in females. Dorsal part of mantle edge with long transparent papillae. Mantle yellow. Kidney purple and ovary cream-yellow. Testis orange. Within mantle cavity, osphradium tan, ctenidium white, and hypobranchial gland light yellow. Oviduct opening distal to anus. Medial lamina of female pallial oviduct (Figure 58c,ml) bears a large, pouch-like ciliated sperm gutter that opens (Figure 58A,B, sbo) into a spacious spermatophore bursa (Figure 58A–D sb) that extends into the proximal portion of the lamina. Along the free edge of the medial lamina a shallow ciliated groove runs back to a deeper groove within which lies the bright orange seminal receptacle (Figure 58A,D sr). The seminal receptacle lies in the median portion of the pallial oviduct some distance from the oviduct entrance (Figure 58A, od). In the distal portion of the lateral lamina (Figure 58B, ll) is another ciliated pouch of unknown function (Figure 58A,B, bo).

MATERIAL EXAMINED.—INDIAN OCEAN: E of Harsburg Pt, Diego Garcia, Chagos Archipelago (USNM 702162); Bel Ombre, Mahé, Seychelles (private collection); Fadiffolu Atoll, Maldives (ANSP 253621); NW tip of Gan, Addu Atoll, Maldives (ANSP 304191); Ongu Id, N Malosmadulu Atoll, Maldives (ANSP 304409). NEW GUINEA: NW end of Manokwari, West Irian (ANSP 249623); reef, E of Pai Id, Mios Woendi Atoll, Padido Ids, West Irian (ANSP 205077); 5 mi (8 km) NW of Rani Id, Biak Id, Schouten Ids, West Irian (ANSP 207582); reef NE end of Noekori Id, Padido Ids, West Irian (ANSP); Mios Woendi Atoll, Padido Ids, West Irian (USNM 542657, 542730). PHILIPPINES: Sabtan Id, Batanes Group (USNM 243918, 243924); Cavite, Luzon (USNM 232955); Cabaloa, Polillo Gp, Quezon Prov, Luzon (LACM 76769); Tagbayag Bay, Palawan (USNM 775150); Zamboanga, Mindanao (USNM 233160); Isle, 0.25 mi (0.4 km) N of Tara Id (USNM 243781).

MELANESIAN ISLANDS: Choiseul Bay, Choiseul, Solomon Islands (ANSP 1853550); Nudha Id, Indespensable Strait, Solomon Islands (LACM 78-69.51); ESE of Inyeng Id, Aneityum, New Hebrides (USNM 692230); Lifu, Loyalty Islands (USNM 744555): Maré, Loyalty Islands (MCZ). MARIANA ISLANDS: Apra Bay, Guam (USNM 232943, 232946, 243619); Pago Bay, Guam (USNM 774769); Saipan (USNM 602456); Rota Id (USNM 620121). FIJI: NE side, inner reef, Wakaya (USNM 666363); W side Wadiji Id (AMNH). PALAU ISLANDS: Kayangel Id, Kayangel Atoll (USNM 616928); S end Ngajangel Id, Kayangel Atoll (ANSP 616928); Rattakadokoru Id, Palau Id (ANSP); S of Koese Id, near Koror, Babelthaup Id (ANSP); E Babelthaup (USNM 620902). CAROLINE ISLANDS: Ponape (MCZ); Sand Id, Metalanim Harbor, Ponape (ANSP 314237); Hare, Kapingamarangi Atoll (USNM 610792, 611046, 611048); Asor Id, Ulithi Atoll (USNM 593210).

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Bikini and Enewetak Atolls (numerous localities throughout, USNM); Piganigaroyaro Id, Rongelap Atoll (USNM 585579); Kabelle, Rongelap Atoll (USNM 583441); Rabelle Id, Rongelap Atoll (USNM 582417); Arbar Id, Rongelap Atoll (USNM 582443); Elizabeth Id, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 659163, 659166, 659197); Sidneytown, S of Jabor, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 659568); N end of Mejatto Id, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 660110); N end, Lijeron Id, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 660071, 660077); N part, Enybor Id, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 659327); SW of Kabbenbock Id, N of Jabor, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 659100, 659129); W side of Pinglap Id, Jaluit Atoll (USNM 756846); Likiep Atoll (USNM 596138); between Loi and S Loi Ids, Kwajalein Atoll (USNM 587349, 614138); Ailuk Id, Ailuk Atoll (USNM 615142); S side, Lae Id, Lae Atoll (USNM 614926, 614980). GILBERT ISLANDS: Apamama (USNM 434004, 434005, 434010); Onotoa Atoll (USNM 607833); Apiang Id (MCZ). ELLICE ISLANDS: main id, Vaitupu (USNM 685918, 695972); main village, Vaitupu (USNM 686053); main id, Nukulailai (USNM 685811). TOKELAU: W side, Nukunonu (USNM 786723). WALLIS: N and S sides, Nukuhifala (USNM 676337). SAMOA: Tutuila (USNM 488641, 774450); Apia (USNM 573848, 573880, 573942); Pago Pago, Tutuila (USNM 574020); airport reef, Tutuila (USNM 699470. TONGA ISLANDS: Sapu Reef, Tongtapu (USNM 654210). PHOENIX ISLANDS: “Hulls Group” (USNM 13340). COOK ISLANDS: lagoon shore, Anchorage Id, Suvarov (USNM 704455, 704446); outer side of Akaiami Id, Aitutaki (USNM 697306).

Clypeomorus nympha is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cerithiidae.