E. F. Garcia 
Two new species of Epitonium 
Type locality. Bahia de Campeche, 20°51.49’N, 
92°21.44’W, in 63-65 m. 
Other material examined. Louisiana: 28°05’N, 
90°59’W, in 114 m (HMNS 39750); 28° 37.920’N, 90° 
36.550’W, in 22 m (EFG 23531).Texas: SSE of 
Freeport, 28°15’N, 95°0’W (HMNS 39734); Heald 
Bank, SSE of Galveston, 29°08’N, 94°01’W(HMNS 
39735); S. of Galveston, 29 Ü 55’N, 94°41’W, in 20 m 
(HMNS 39736); SE of Freeport, 28 l, 19’N, 94°29’W, in 
50 m (HMNS 39737); off Galveston, 28°52’N, 
94°42’W, in 22 m (HMNS 39738); off Galveston, 
29°16’N, 94°29’W, in 16 m (HMNS 39740); off 
Galveston, 28°21 ’N, 94°53’W (HMNS 39744); 30 mi. 
off Port Isabel, in 22-28 m (HMNS 39745); off 
Galveston, 28°18’N, 94°28’W, in 50 m (HMNS 
39746); off Matagorda peninsula, 28°35’41”N, 
95°58’59’W, in 15 m (HMNS 39747); Padre L, in 4 m 
(HMNS 39748); off Padre I., in 22 m (HMNS 39749) 
Distribution. Western Gulf of Mexico: Bahia de 
Campeche, Mexico; Texas and Louisiana, USA 
Description. Holotype (Figs 27-31 ) 11.5 mm in 
length, imperforate, attenuate (width/ length ration 
0.37). Protoconch conical, smooth, glassy, with a 
brownish band on shoulder of whorls, of 
approximately 4 whorls; transition to teleoconch 
delineated by growth scar and change in opacity. 
Teleoconch of 9.5 convex whorls; whorls rapidly 
increasing in width. Suture relatively shallow, crossed 
by axial ornamentation. Axial sculpture of 
approximately 22 thin, erect costae on early whorls; 
costae curving adaperturally, slightly flattening, as 
they cross over suture, pasting on to the earlier whorl, 
some forming inconspicuous “peaks’ (Fig. 29), 
decreasing in number, becoming more cord- like on 
later whorls; 17 costae on last whorl; varices forming 
randomly starting at the end of fifth whorl; 3 varices 
on last whorl; microscopie axial wrinkles showing on 
interspaces between axial costae. Spiral sculpture of 
primary cords of uneven strength; microscopie spiral 
wrinkles appearing between them, creating pustulose 
surface as they cross axial éléments (Fig. 30); spiral 
ornamentation not Crossing over axial éléments; 
approximately 12 primary cords on early whorls, 
increasing in number on later whorls. Base of shell 
solid; umbilical area covered by pariétal thickness 
(Fig. 31). Aperture oval; pariétal and labral margins 
thickened; labral rnargin becoming patulose anteriorly, 
pariétal rnargin narrowing at posterior end. Shell 
milky-white with slight satin luster. 
Discussion. The main characters of the paratypes are 
consistent with those of the holotype; there is some 
expected variation in the number of axial costae (see 
Table III), and in the number and placement of 
varices. 
Epitonium pigrum is most similar to E. leali n.sp. 
They both hâve the same general proportions, a 
number of varicoid axial costae and similar 
microsculpture on interspaces. However, E. pigrum 
lias more numerous axial costae on early whorls (22 
vs. 15) and on the last whorl (15 vs. 10), a shallower 
suture, and a solid umbilical area without a chink 
(compare Figs 7 and 35). More importantly, the 
production of the terminais of the axial costae of the 
two species as they cross the suture are quite different: 
E. pigrum produces flattened costae which curve 
adaperturally and adhéré to the previous whorl; E. 
leali maintains the rounded costae which embed into 
the deeper suture and do not turn adaperturally 
(compare Figs 15 and 26 with Figs 29 and 40). 
Although both species inhabit the Coastal areas of 
Louisiana and Texas, ffesh specimens of Epitonium 
leali can be found on beaches while E. pigrum 
inhabits offshore banks. 
Epitonium championi is also similar to E. pigrum in 
general shape, and the production of the terminais of 
the axial varices is similar, particularly when the 
specimens are not fresh (compare Fig. 3 with Figs 29 
and 40) ; however, E. championi has fewer axial 
costae on early whorls (16 vs. 22) and on the last 
whorl (10 vs. 15), has more flattened axial costae, 
wider spiral cords that “bulge” out, and lacks a 
microsculpture (compare Figs 4 and 12 with Fig. 30). 
Etymology. From the Latin pigrum (adjective 
meaning lazy), referring to the relatively large number 
of prominent varices, presumably periods of rest. 
Figures 27-40. Epitonium pigrum n. sp. 
27-37. Mexico, Bahia de Campeche, 20°51.49'N, 92°21.44'W, 63-65 m. 27-31. Holotype USNM 1150470 length 
11.5 mm, width 4.3 mm. 32. Paratype MCZ 373765 33-34. Paratype BMSM 17957 35. Paratype SBMNH & 
149689 36. Paratype LACM 3189 37 Paratype EFG 26207 38-40. Mexico, Bahia de Campeche 20°52 40'N 
92°24.83'W, 77-81 m 38. Paratype HGL col. 39-40.Paratype EFG 26273. 
104 
