Pyrunculus phialus (A. Adams, 1862)

Description

A small cylindro-pyramidal cephalaspidean. The shell is anteriorly attenuate and slightly constricted just below the deeply perforated apex, and both ends are crossed by transverse striations. The aperture is linear, posteriorly contracted and anteriorly dilated; the inner lip is straight, elongate and simple, while the outer lip is strongly produced posteriorly. Diagnostic features noted in the original description are the anterior constriction just below the apex, the produced posterior angle of the outer lip, and the simple straight inner lip.

Distribution

Type locality: Mino-Sima, Japan, at 63 fathoms. Recorded from waters around Japan.

Etymology

The epithet derives from Latin phiala (from Greek phialē), a shallow cup or libation bowl, evoking the cup-like form of the shell. The masculine ending phialus followed the transfer to the masculine genus Pyrunculus.

Remarks

Originally described as Sao phiala in Adams's account of new Cylichnidae, Bullidae and Philinidae from the seas of China and Japan.

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References

• Sao phiala, Adams A. (1862). On some new species of Cylichnidae, Bullidae, and Philinidae, from the Seas of China and Japan. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, series 3, 9: 150-161.
• シリブトカイコガイ Pyrunculus phialus (A. ADAMS), 波部忠重. (1961). 続原色日本貝類図鑑. 保育社, 大阪. xii + 183 + 42 pp., 66 pls. [Habe T. (1961). Coloured illustrations of the shells of Japan (II). Hoikusha, Osaka.]
• シリブトカイコガイ Retusa (Pyrunculus) phiala A. Adams, 1862, 奥谷喬司. (2000). 日本近海産貝類図鑑. 東海大学出版会.