Decorifer matusimanus (Nomura, 1940)

Description

A minute cephalaspidean with a translucent white, glossy, cylindrical shell about 4 mm long. The surface bears fine spiral sculpture, the apex is slightly depressed, and the aperture runs nearly the full length of the shell.

Distribution

At the time of description, known only from Matsushima Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, north-eastern Honshu, Japan. The type material was dredged in February 1937 and formally described by Nomura (1940).

Etymology

The specific epithet matusimanus refers to the type locality, Matsushima Bay.

Remarks

The family is Cylichnidae, genus Decorifer. The original description was published as Retusa matusimana Nomura, 1940; following revisions to the genus, the species is now treated as Decorifer matusimanus. Owing to its small shell size, the species is rarely recorded by in-water observation and is typically obtained from sediment dredging.

---