204 
Records of the Australian Museum (2017) Vol. 69 
Wilson, 1993: 281, pi. 44, figs 35A-B (misidentification 
as R. johnii Holten, 1802). 
Recluzia rollandiana bensoni A. Adams.-Kuroda et al, 1971: 
245, pi. 62, fig. 16. 
Recluzia cf. jehennei Petit.-Churchill et al., 2011a: 802, fig. 
1 (upper); Churchill et al, 2011b: 441, figs 1A-F. 
Type material. No type material of Janthina lutea is 
present in any museums the writer has consulted, and there 
is nothing in Bennett’s (1840) work to indicate that he 
retained any specimens. Bennett’s (1840: 63) description 
stated merely that this is an elongate, yellow species of 
Janthina with narrower whorls than J. janthina ; a neotype 
therefore is required to associate this name unambiguously 
with the present Recluzia species. The type locality is 2°53'S 
174°55'E (Bennett, 1840: 62), a short distance southwest 
of the Phoenix Islands, Kiribati, central western Pacific 
Ocean. However, as Recluzia lutea is pelagic and almost 
cosmopolitan, occurring in all world tropical and temperate 
seas, selection of a neotype from near the original type 
locality seems unimportant in this case, particularly as almost 
no material from the central Pacific has been observed by 
the writer. 
The writer also has been unable to trace any type material 
of Janthina turrita. Little that is diagnostic is available for 
this species, but the name “turrita” suggests that it applies to a 
Recluzia species rather than to Janthina , and the dimensions 
(H 14.5, D 10 mm) rule out a position in Janthina. The name 
was not illustrated and has been referred to again only by 
Tryon (1887: 39), who listed it among inadequately known 
species. The original description stated that the shell is 
fusiform, turreted, dark, smooth, with well-rounded whorls, 
deep sutures, and a short spire. The outer lip is straight 
and recedes strongly. The upper whorl surface is blue, and 
the base is pale reddish shading to rust red. The locality 
is unknown. Apart from the mysteries of the receding 
(incomplete?) lip and the colour, there seems to be little else 
this could refer to other than a Recluzia species. The late 
Dr Rudolf Kilias informed the writer that Dr Gerhard von 
dem Busch was a physician in Bremen. Enquiry at Ubersee 
Museum Bremen revealed that von dem Busch’s collection 
is indeed located there. Janthina turrita is listed in von dem 
Busch’s manuscript catalogue with the locality “Adelaide”. 
However, the specimen is not present (T. Kruckow, Ubersee 
Museum Bremen pers. comm. 05 Mar 1975), presumably 
because it was sent to Philippi. The writer has also been 
informed by N. Bahamonde (Museo Nacional de Historia 
Natural, Santiago, pers. comm. 25 Mar 1975) that no material 
identified as Janthina turrita is present there in Philippi’s 
collection. C. Zom (ZMB pers. comm. 30 Jan 2016) has also 
informed the writer that no material bearing this name is 
present in ZMB. Therefore, this name also requires a neotype. 
Recluzia jehennei , one figured syntype MNHN25667 
(Figs 36F, G), listed by Fisher-Piette (1950: 14) as the 
holotype; “this shell was found in the open ocean, in the Gulf 
of Arabia, by Commandant Jehenne” (translation from Petit 
de la Saussaye, 1853: 119). Recluzia rollandiana, no type 
material present in MNHN. The description by Petit de la 
Saussaye (1853: 120) indicated that the specimen remained 
“belonging to M Rolland de Roquan”, and so presumably 
is long lost; from “environs de Mazatlan” (“later identified 
as actually from New Caledonia”; Keen 1971: 903). The 
remaining syntype of Recluzia jehennei , MNHN25667 (Figs 
36F, G) is here designated the neotype of Janthina lutea 
Bennett, 1840, the neotype of Janthina turrita Philippi, 
1849 and the neotype of Recluzia rollandiana Petit de la 
Saussaye, 1853, to refer these names unambiguously to the 
present species rather than to R. johnii. 
Recluzia bensoni , holotype NHMUK1878.1.28.394, 
labelled “China Sea, R. Benson”, a small, narrow, juvenile 
specimen of Recluzia lutea , illustrated by Yen (1942: 219, 
pi. 20, fig. 122). Yen’s illustration suggests thatR. bensoni is 
possibly part of the variation of R. johnii, but the dimensions 
plot at the base of the field of R. lutea in Fig. 34. Recluzia 
montrouzieri , one specimen in MNHN presented by the 
author was formerly considered to be a syntype but, as 
with Janthina capreolata, the type material was stated by 
Souverbie (1871) to be in MHNB, and the MNHN specimen 
is not a type; two syntypes MHNB2004.TY.163, from Art 
Island, New Caledonia; photograph of syntypes sent by 
Laurent Charles, MHNB and Virginie Heros, MNHN (pers. 
comm. 21 Sep 2012). 
Lymnaea palmeri, holotype USNM56411 (Dali, 1925: 
25, pi. 17, fig. 8), from the delta of the Taqui River, near 
Guaymas, Mexico, head of the Gulf of California. Abbott & 
Dance (1982: 70, bottom right fig.) illustrated the holotype 
of Lymnaea palmeri clearly. This specimen agrees in shape 
with that of the taller specimens of Recluzia lutea, but its 
original stated dimensions placed it within the field of R. 
johnii in Fig. 34. The photographs (Figs 36E, H) sent by 
E. Strong (USNM pers. comm. 20 Sep 2012) show that 
the stated dimensions (Keen, 1971: 443) were probably 
inaccurate, but they have been retained in Table 13 and Fig. 
35. The overall appearance is accepted here as confirming 
that R. palmeri is a synonym of R. lutea. 
Recluzia globosa, holotype NHMUK1876.1.10.119, 
labelled “Tarawa, Gilbert Group, received from John Brazier 
Esq. per Mr Henry Adams”, another small, very short 
specimen. All small specimens of R. lutea are very short 
compared with adults, and the dimensions of the holotype fall 
within the range of variation of R. lutea (Fig. 35). Recluzia 
rollandiana var. annamitica, two syntypes MNHN25668 
(one in Figs 36K-L), from beach at Thuan-an, near Hue, 
Vietnam. Recluzia effusa holotype ZMB/Moll-13704 (E. 
Strong, USNM, pers. comm. 20 Sep 2012), not seen; from 
“chinesischen See”. The status of this name is not clear, as 
the shell is poorly preserved, but it is assumed here to be 
a further synonym of the more common Recluzia species. 
Other material examined. Present-day specimens from Australia andNew 
Zealand: Australia: New South Wales : Dingo Beach, Cape Gloucester 
(AMS); Catherine Hill Bay (AMS Cl 1333); Port Macquarie (NMV); 
Collaroy Beach, Sydney (AMS); Cronulla, S of Sydney (AMS C75719). 
Queensland: Michaelmas Cay, off Cairns (AMS C53537); King’s Beach, 
Caloundra (NMV, AMS); Lady Elliott I. (AMS C69170). Tasmania: Black 
Rocks, Richmond River (AMS C76081). 
Kermadec Islands: Raoul I. (SAMA; AMS C36656; GNS WM5654, 1; 
NMNZ M202865,5;M202866,1; M200986,3; M202867,1; M214384,20). 
New Zealand: Twilight Beach, Cape Reinga (NMNZ Ml00807, 2); N 
end of Ninety Mile Beach (NMNZ M117600, 6; M117826, 7); S of Scott 
Pt., Ninety Mile Beach (NMNZ Ml 17256, 20); S of the Bluff, Ninety 
Mile Beach (NMNZ M277745, 3); Great Exhibition Bay, Mar 1998 (GNS 
RM6748,4; NMNZ Ml55930, 59; P. Poortman colln., 20); Rarawa, Great 
ExhibitionBay (NMNZ M081519,1); Taupiri Bay, N ofWhangarei (NMNZ 
M081518,26); Laings Beach, Mangawai, Hauraki Gulf (AWM); Mangawai 
Heads (NMNZ M277744,1); Tryphena, Great Barrier Island (Powell 1924: 
285; in AWM); Whangamata, Bay of Plenty (AWM). 
