E. F. Garcia 
Two new species of Epitonium 
Description. Holotype (Figs 13-17) 11.5 mm in 
length, attenuate (width/ length ratio 0.37). 
Protoconch damaged, remaining whorl smooth, white. 
Teleoconch of 8 moderately convex, joined whorls. 
Suture relatively deep. Axial ornamentation on early 
whorls of 16 or 17 narrow, well- defined, rounded 
costae, some becoming varicoid starting on fourth 
whorl; at least one varix per whorl after fourth; costae 
diminishing in number on later whorls, 10 on Iast 
whorl; posterior terminal embedding into suture, 
joining earlier whorl (Fig. 15); axial interspaces 
approximately 3 to 4 times as wide as costae, except 
where varical formations occur; 4 strong varices on 
last whorl. Spiral sculpture of 14 or 15 cords between 
sutures; cords uneven in strength, narrower than 
interspaces (Fig. 16); interspaces ornamented with 
numerous microscopie axial threads, which wrinkle 
top of spiral cords as they cross over (Fig. 16); base of 
last whorl convex, developing a shallow chink at 
umbilical area (Fig. 17). Aperture elongate-ovate, 
complété, with strong, wide labral varix, narrower on 
pariétal side. Operculum unknown. Shell pale pinkish- 
tan with white axial costae. 
Discussion. There is very little variation in ail the 
material studied, other than number and position of 
varices and slight variation in number of axial costae. 
Compare holotype Figs 13, 15 and 16 with Figs 24, 25 
and 26, the specimen from Puerto Rico; also, see 
Table II. Some specimens from deeper water hâve a 
tendency to develop a more capacious last whorl, 
which also causes them to hâve a stronger umbilical 
dépréssion (Figs 19 and 20). Fresh specimens, such as 
those from the type locality and the specimen from 
Puerto Rico (Figs 24 to 26), hâve a pale pinkish- tan 
shell with white axial costae; ail other specimens are 
white. 
This new species has been confused with 
Epitonium championi, from which it differs by having 
more rounded axial costae which ernbed into a deeper 
suture (Compare Fig. 3 with Figs 15 and 26), in 
having narrower spiral cords that do not “bulge”, in 
having a secondary microsculpture in the axial 
interspaces (Compare Figs 4 and 12 with Figs 16 and 
25), and in generally having a narrower shell (width/ 
length ratios 0.36 vs o.40). Although some specimens 
of E. leali do approach the same ratio as E. championi, 
this is due to the strong development of the last whorl. 
Epitonium leali may also be confused with 
Epitonium pigrum n. sp. The différences between the 
two taxa will be treated in the discussion of the latter. 
Epitonium tiburonense Clench & Turner, 1952 is 
superfïcially similar to E. leali, but the former is 
smaller; the holotype having 9 whorls at only 6.8 mm 
in length. Moreover, E. tiburonense has evenly 
distributed non- varicoid axial costae which “form a 
thickened pad” (Clench & Turner, 1952: 305) in the 
umbilical area, and lacks the secondary microsculpture 
of E. leali. 
Although Epitonium turritellula Morch, 1874 has 
been confused with the new species (Tunnell et al., 
2010: 93), the former only grows to 6.5 mm 
(Rosenberg, 2009), producing 10 whorls at only 6.4 
mm in length (Clench & Turner, 1952: 298). Also, E. 
turritellula has blade- like, more numerous costae 
(about 20 on last whorl) that tend to “peak” at the 
suture, giving the appearance of narrowly coronated 
whorls. 
Although ail of the specimens of Epitonium leali 
in this study were collected empty, it seems that the 
species inhabits very shallow water in the Gulf of 
Mexico, as most specimens hâve been collected at 
beaches from southwestem Florida to Texas. 
Etymology. Named for Dr. José H. Leal, Director of 
the Bailey- Matthews Shell Muséum, Sanibel, Florida 
and Editor of the prestigious malacological journal 
The Nautilus. This taxon honors him for his 
accomplishments in the field and for his willingness to 
help both personally and in his capacity as the 
Director of the Bailey-Matthews Shell Muséum. 
Epitonium pigrum n. sp. 
Figs 27- 40, Table III 
Type material. Mexico: Balu'a de Campeche, 
20°51.49N, 92 Ü 21.44’W, in 63-65 m. Holotype 
USNM1150470 length 11.5 mm, width 4.3 mm; 1 
paratype MCZ 373765 (Fig. 32); 1 paratype UNAM; 1 
paratype EFG 26207 (Figs 33-34) 1 paratype BMSM 
17957 (Fig. 35); 1 paratype SBMNH 149689 (Fig 36); 
1 paratype HGL (Fig. 37). Bahia de Campeche, 
20 ü 52.40 N, 92 U 24.83’W, in 77-81 m; 1 paratype 
LACM 3189 (Fig. 38), 1 paratypes EFG 26273 (Figs 
39-40). 
Figures 13-26. Epitonium leali n. sp. 
13-17. Florida, Gulf County, St. Joe Bay. Palm Point, 29°48’29”"N 85° 17’52”W. Holotype USNM 1150471 
length 9.7 mm, width 3.6 mm. 18. Florida, Gulf County, St. Joe Bay, Palm Point, 29°48’29”"N 85°17’52”W 
Paratype SBMNH 149690 11mm. 19. Florida, Duval County, off Big Talbot F, 10-20 m, 14 mm (HGL) 20. 
Florida, Duval County, off Big Talbot I., 10-20 m, 13.5 mm (HGL). 21. Florida, Lee County, Sanibel Island, 
26°27’N 82°01’ W, 18.5 mm (BMSM 25708). 22. Texas, Nueces Co, Port Aransas, 27°50T" N, 97°3'9" W. 8.5 
mm (HGL) 23. Louisiana, Terrebonne Parish, Isles Derniers, 29°3’41,44”N, 90°57’1.51”W, 11.5 mm (EFG 
10350). 24- 26. Puerto Rico, San Juan, Isla Verde, 18°25’39" N, 66° 0' 36" W, 9 mm (HGL). 
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