Spondylus clarksoni Lamprell, 1992
LAMPRELL, K. L. 1992. Notes on Spondylus Linnaeus with descriptions of two new species from Western Australia (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Spondylidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, 32 (1): 189-194, figs. 1, 2. [p. 189, figs. 1a-1d]
1992 Spondylus clarksoni Lamprell, 1992
K. L. Lamprell, 1992, figure 1.
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«ETYMOLOGY
For Mr Peter Clarkson who donated specimens for study. MATERIAL EXAMINED
HOLOTYPE: WAM562-91, 1 pv, exposed on dead coral faces, 9-13m, Bennett Shoal, central Exmouth Gulf, W.A., 1991, P. Clarkson. Height 100 mm, length 86 mm, width 48 mm. PARATYPES: AMC167693, MVF6552, QMMO32909, 3 pv, exposed on sponge covered limestone reef in tide rip, 15-22 m, S end South Muiron I., Exmouth Gulf, W.A., 1991, P. Clarkson. OTHER MATERIAL: Four specimens from Pt Lefroy, southern end Exmouth Gulf, north W.A., P. Clarkson. DIAGNOSIS
Shell pecten-shaped, slightly oblique, solid. Hinge typical for the genus. Top (left) valve moderately convex, more so umbonally; internally, slightly excavated under the hinge plate with a strong, wide, crenulated margin; hinge-line moderalely wide. Sculpture of five, strong, rounded, principal radial ribs ornamenled by strong, upright, spatulate spines which are channelled on the underside, narrow and strong at their bases, wide and flattened at their tips. Rib interstices with five to twelve minor radial ribs, central longer and stronger ornamented with dense, sharp, overlapping spines, and whose interstices contain smaller ribs which are ornamented with even smaller and finer spines or nodules. Lower (right) valve equally as convex as the top valve; cardinal area triangular and moderately deep; internally, moderately deep under the hinge plate with a strong, wide, crenulated margin. Sculpture (where not affixed) of thin concentric foliations with few, irregularly placed, strong spines. Area of attachmenl varying from 50-100% of the lower surface. Colouration pure white with pink-rose umbonally extending approximalely one-third down the shell surface. Height 70-100 mm, length 70-87 mm, width 38-54 mm. HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION
Covered in red sponge attached to low-profile limestone reefs, on a sandy bottom, among sponges and gorgonian corals. Apparently restricted to north Western Australia (Shark Bay to Broome). REMARKS
Compared with Spondylus clarksoni, S. sinensis Schreibers, 1793 has fewer, stronger, interstitial ribs devoid of ornamentation, strong principal ribs on the lower valve (absent in S. clarksoni) and a very small attachment area. Spondylus victoriae Sowerby, 1843, which occurs sympatrically, has long, sharp to spatulate principal spines on both valves and fewer. stronger interstitial spines.Compared with S. tenellus Reeve, 1856, which occurs in southern Australia, S. clarksoni is larger and heavier, has stronger ribs, wide, spatulate spines and weaker interstitial spining. The spining and ribs in both valves of S. tenellus are always orange or pink whereas those of S. clarksoni are white.» KEVIN L. LAMPRELL, 1992
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