Fusus? subangulatus von Martens, 1901: Sitzungs-Berichte Gesellschaft Nat. Freunde Berlin, Jahrgang 1901: 21.

Description

Shell rather large for genus (to 77.2 mm), fusiform. 9-10 convex whorls, latter whorls distinctly keeled, shoulder slope clearly concave. Axial and spiral sculpture rather weak. Aperture relatively large, siphonal canal short and distinctly curved. Suture adpressed to the preceding whorl, wavy on upper whorls, straight on penultimate and body whorl. Background colour whitish to yellowish with pale reddish coloured spiral sculpture. Radula typical for genus.

Type material

Lectotype (71.1 x 23.7 mm) in Museum für Naturkunde (Zool. Museum) Berlin, Germany (ZMB) designated by Hadorn & Fraussen (2000: Vita Marina 46(3-4), 112+114).

Type locality

South Somalia, near Kismaayo (0°29'S, 42°47'E), Valdivia stn 254, in 977 m.

Range and habitat

Gulf of Aden, from Djibouti along the Somalian coast to the Pemba Channel, Tanzania. Occuring in 400-1134 meters depth on blue silt and pteropod ooze.

Discussion

This rather rare species was only known from the specimens collected by the steamer Valdivia (von Martens, 1901). The taxonomical position was doubtful for nearly a century (Fasciolariidae, "Fusus" or Buccinidae, "Sipho"?). The radular studies confirmed that von Martens species belongs to Fusinus (Fasciolariidae).

In the past years several fresh specimens have been trawled in deep water off the Somalian coast mainly by fishermen from Djibouti.