Y. Terryn 
A new terebrid species from the Caribbean 
i.e. South Carolina, USA as var. acrior, defined as 
having only 2-3 spiral rows that are not as strongly 
sculptured. 
After its description the taxon was rarely used 
again, often in faunistie lists, only twice crudely 
figured e.g. Dali, 1889b: 94; Dali & Simpson, 1901: 
pl. 29, fig. N; de Jong & Kristensen, 1965: 47; 
Warmke & Abbott, 1962: 133 (as var. acrior)-, Abbott, 
1968: 164 (as a subspecies of Terebra protexta ); 
Kaicher, 1981: card 2710 (“holotype” of Terebra 
acrior)-, de Jong & Coomans, 1988: 104. In ail these 
cases the identity of the taxon could not be well 
defrned by description, drawing or picture. 
Recent history 
The name Terebra limatula was mentioned also in 
the Terebridae révision by Bratcher and Cemohorsky 
(1987: 30), who listed the species as dubious because 
the type material was thought to be iost and the 
description was considered too general to be of any 
help. 
While the présent author was revising ail relevant 
taxa for a possible comparison with Terebra (s. 1.) 
lamyi sp. nov., the naine Terebra limatula remained 
enigmatic because of its description and ‘lost types’. 
A quick search by Dr Ellen Strong (Curator of 
Mollusca, USNM, USA) revealed that possible ‘types’ 
are présent at the USNM. Upon a more in-depth look 
through the type collection and records of the USNM, 
she was able to trace back four (+1 possible) records 
labeled as syntypes of Terebra limatula and var. 
acrior. 
USNM 103436: Unconfirmed type, not listed in the 
online database because of its unconfirmed status. 
United States Fish Commission, Station 2120, at 134 
m, Grenada. 
The specimen was catalogued Jan. 31, 1890, simply as 
“Terebra ”, is conspecific with the hereafter- 
mentioned specimens but is clearly does not belong to 
the original type sériés as noted by Dali (see above). 
USNM 92870: Catalogued February 13, 1888 with no 
identification. 1 specimen in dry condition. Collected 
19 October 1885, RV Albatross, US Fish Commission 
Station 2610, North Carolina Cape Lookout at 40 m. 
USNM 93971: Catalogued March 20, 1888 with no 
identification. 1 specimen in dry condition. Collected 
14 March 1885, RV Albatross, US Fish Commission 
Station 2402 Florida, between Mississippi Delta and 
Cedar Keys at 203 m, 34.33N - 76.2W. 
USNM 61229: 2 specimens in dry condition; 
collected by W. Rush, Bahamas, NW Bimini Island at 
366 m. Additional notes accompanying this sample in 
the USNM mention: “see also USNM 92870, 93971; 
ANSP 33723 (syntypes)”. 
The specimen was catalogued Dec. 19, 1885, and 
labeled “ Terebra ”, Specimens are currently out on 
loan. 
USNM 87294: Terebra ( Acus) limatula var. acrior 
Dali, 1889. 1 specimen in dry condition. RV Blake. 
US Coast Survey Station 100, Barbados, 13.167N - 
59.533W at 183 m. Leg. A. Agassiz. The specimen 
was catalogued June 17, 1888 and labeled as “Acus 
limatulus Dali” Specimen is currently out on loan. 
The database notes field in the type record USNM 
61229 mentions additional specimens or types in the 
ANSP. An investigation by Paul Callomon (Curator of 
Mollusca, ANSP, USA) revealed the following: 
ANSP 33723: 3 ‘syntypes’ with the following 
information on the labels: 
Original label: L. protexta Cow / Bemini, Bahamas 
[sic! = Bimini] / Dr. Wm. H. Rush! 
Subséquent label 1 : Terebra limatula form acrior Dali 
/ det. T. Bratcher / 17 Oct 1981. 
Subséquent label 2: Probable syntypes of Terebra 
limatula Dali, 1889 / A. R. Kabat. 17 Feb 1995. 
One specimen (9.3 mm) seems conspecific with ail the 
‘syntypes' of Terebra limatula in the USNM, but the 
other two (6.0 mm & 12.2 mm) clearly belong to a 
different species (and genus/group). Why these three 
were kept together as one species and regarded as such 
by Bratcher is a complété mystery as the différence is 
quite évident. A bit of research revealed that the two 
belong in fact to a probably undescribed species. 
The total amount of ‘syntypes’ is thus actually six, 
five for limatula and one for limatula var. acrior. 
They are deposited in two muséums: five (of which 
one is of limatula var. acrior) in USNM and one in 
ANSP. 
As quoted above, the var. acrior is merely based upon 
small différences in the strength of sculpture and 
number of spiral rows of beads. As it concems a 
smaller specimen than the specimens of the 
nominative type, we can conclude that this represents 
a mere juvénile of the latter. Thus Terebra limatula 
var. acrior is here interpreted as a junior synonym of 
Terebra (s. 1.) limatula. 
Figures 1-7 
DI ' p S>e ^ ,a VV! * * * * S * 7 * P' nov ' MNHN 23204, Flolotype, 10.8 mm, Guadeloupe, off Saint François, 250 m; 2. 
Saint p- Ven mm ’ Guadelou P e > offSaint François, 250 m; 3. YT, Paratype, 3 10.7 mm, Guadeloupe, off 
Saint François, 250 m; 4. DL, Paratype, 2 9.1 mm, Guadeloupe, off Saint François, 250 m. 
mm nlh >Ü SP VV S 5 ' ANSP 425025 > 12 - 2 mm ’ Bahamas, N Bimini Island, 366 m; 6. ANSP 425025, 5.9 
mm, Bahamas, N Bimmi Island, 366 m. 
7. Terebra limatula ANSP 33723, paralectotype, 9.3 mm, Bahamas, N Bimini Island 366 
64 
m 
