Bathyal chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from off New Caledonia and Vanuatu: families Callochitonidae, Ischnochitonidae and Loricidae
Sirenko, B. (2008). Bathyal chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) from off New Caledonia and Vanuatu: families Callochitonidae, Ischnochitonidae and Loricidae, in: Héros, V. et al. (Ed.) Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos 25. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (1993), 196: pp. 41-75
In: Héros, V.; Cowie, R.H.; Bouchet, P. (Ed.) (2008). Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos 25. Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (1993), 196. Publications Scientifiques du Muséum: Paris. ISBN 978-2-85653-614-8. 805 + 1 cd-rom pp., more
In: Mémoires du Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (1993). Éditions du Muséum: Paris. ISSN 1243-4442; e-ISSN 1768-305X, more
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| Abstract |
Study of deep-water chitons from around New Caledonia and Vanuatu has revealed 35 species, of which 25 species were identified to species and 10 only to genus. This article includes 7 new records for this area of which 4 are described as new species: Ischnochiton crassus Kaas, 1985, Stenosemus robustus Kaas, 1991, S. herosae n. sp., Connexochiton discernibilis Kaas, 1991, Loricella vanbellei n. sp., L. eernissei n. sp. and L. dellangeloi n. sp. In addition, Vermichiton vermiculus Kaas, 1991 is reviewed. Based on available biogeographic data it is proposed that Loricella originated off South Australia during the Oligocene, in a time of global cooling. Later, Loricella extended its range north up to Taiwan and east to Tonga, most likely remaining in the bathyal zone. These new discoveries add to the already high diversity and high proportion of endemics known from this region, and a speculative interpretation of these patterns is offered in conclusion. |
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