Triton #8

TRITON # 8, September 2003

Table of Contents

Author/s

Page

1. MARINE MOLLUSCS

Henk K. Mienis

ON TWO FISSURELLA SPECIES SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FOUND ON THE BEACH OF ELAT, ISRAEL

Abstract: One specimen each of Fissurella rosea (Gmelin, 1791) and Fissurella barbadensis (Gmelin, 1791) are present in the National Mollusc Collection of the Tel Aviv University supplied with data as if they had been collected on the beach of Elat. However, both species are confined in their distribution to the Western Atlantic, more precisely from Florida southwards to Brazil. Without doubt we are dealing here with wrongly labelled samples and therefore these strange records have to be omitted from any checklist of molluscs supposed to occur in the Red Sea.

Henk K. Mienis

FIRST RECORDS OF A XYLOPHAGA SPECIES FROM THE RED SEA (BIVALVIA, XYLOPHAGAIDAE)

Abstract: The first finds of wood-boring bivalves belonging to the genus Xylophaga are reported from the Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea. The specific identity could not be established due to the lack of mesoplax and animal.

Henk K. Mienis

WOODBORING BIVALVES IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
1. SHIPWORMS FROM THE WRECK OF A FISHING-BOAT OFF BARDAWIL

Abstract: Three species of shipworms are reported from pieces of wood recovered from the wreck of the "Orit", an Israeli fishing-boat, drowned off Bardawil, north coast of Sinai, after being hit by an Egyptian gunboat in 1970.

Henk K. Mienis

WOODBORING BIVALVES FROM SHIPWRECKS IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
2. XYLOPHAGA FROM THE WRECK OF THE SUBMARINE "DAKAR"

Abstract: An unknown species of a woodboring bivalve species belonging to the genus Xylophaga is reported from pieces of wood retrieved from the submarine 'Dakar' at a depth of 2950 m in the Eastern Mediterranean. The specimens might be identical with material reported as Xylophaga praestans from similar depths off Crete by Janssen (1989). True X. praestans is, however, a shallow water species occurring off N.W. Europe.

Henk K. Mienis

NOTES ON SOME MURICID GASTROPODS FROM THE GULF OF AQABA

Abstract: Notes are given concerning the nomenclature and distribution of seven relatively small Muricid species living along the east coast of Sinai in particular in the Gulf of Aqaba. A spineless form of Morula echinata is recorded for the first time as living in the Red Sea.

Henk K. Mienis

REMARKS CONCERNING CORALLIOPHILIDAE LIVING IN THE RED SEA

Abstract: Brief remarks are given on the Coralliophilidae recorded from the Red Sea area in general and the Gulf of Aqaba in particular. Babelomurex purpuratus encountered in deep water off Elat is here reported for the first time from the Red Sea. Most species, except for four widely distributed ones in the Indo-Pacific, are in need of more information concerning their distribution and host range.

Henk K. Mienis

CANTHARUS TRANQUEBARICUS: FIRST RECORDS OF ANOTHER INDIAN OCEAN SPECIES IN THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN

Abstract: The Indian Ocean Buccinid Cantharus tranquebaricus is reported for the first time from the Mediterranean Sea. Three adult specimens have been found in the Marina of Herzliyya, Israel in the summer of 2003. It is a characteristic species of the mollusc fauna of the Gulf of Bengal. It joins several other species from the Indian Ocean now occurring in the Mediterranean Sea, but not in the Red Sea.

E. L. Heiman

UNUSUAL FINDS ON ISRAELI COASTS

E. L. Heiman

ABNORMALITIES IN COWRIES
3. OVERCALLUSED AND ROSTRATED SHELLS

Abstract: Overcallused shells of Cypraea tigris, Lyncina carneola and Erosaria moneta and rostrated shells of Cypraea tigris, Mauritia histrio and Cypraea pantherina are presented. In some shells rostration of their extremities is combined with overcallusness.

E. L. Heiman

VARIABILITY OF TECTUS DENTATUS (FORSSKÅL, 1775)

Abstract: It is shown that the number of knobs varies on each circle of the body whorl in shells of Tectus dentatus from the Gulf of Aqaba. This shell character is too variable and can not be used for distinguishing species and subspecies.

E. L. Heiman

EROSARIA NEBRITES FORM LABROSPINOSA

Abstract: Distinguishing shell characters of Erosaria nebrites labrospinosa from the Pleistocene of Hurghada, Egypt are found also in the living populations of Erosaria nebrites from East Sinai, hence the former is treated below as a form of Erosaria nebrites. A conclusion is also drawn that E. nebrites is a monotypic species.

E.L. Heiman
&
H.K.Mienis

SHELLS OF EAST SINAI, AN ILLUSTRATED LIST.
CYPRAEIDAE

Abstract: twenty-six species of the family Cypraeidae inhabiting the waters bordering East Sinai in the Gulf of Aqaba, the presence of which is confirmed by material in local collections, are listed and illustrated.

E.L. Heiman
&
H.K.Mienis

SHELLS OF EAST SINAI, AN ILLUSTRATED LIST.
MURICIDAE (2)

Abstract: 31 species of the family Muricidae inhabiting the waters bordering East Sinai in the Gulf of Aqaba, the presence of which is confirmed by material in local collections, are listed and illustrated.

E.L. Heiman
&
H.K.Mienis

SHELLS OF EAST SINAI, AN ILLUSTRATED LIST.
TROCHIDAE

Abstract: 25 species of the family Trochidae inhabiting the waters bordering East Sinai in the Gulf of Aqaba, the presence of which is confirmed by material in local collections, are listed and illustrated.

E.L. Heiman
&
H.K.Mienis

SHELLS OF EAST SINAI, AN ILLUSTRATED LIST. CORALLIOPHILIDAE

Abstract: nine species of the family Coralliophilidae inhabiting the waters bordering East Sinai in the Gulf of Aqaba, the presence of which is confirmed by material in local collections, are listed and illustrated.

2. LAND-SNAILS AND FRESH-WATER MOLLUSCS

Aydin Örstan

CALCULATION OF THE COEFFICIENT OF VARIATION FROM THE DIAMETER MEASUREMENTS OF SNAIL SHELLS

Abstract: There are different ways of measuring the diameters of the shells of globose land snails. The data obtained with Helix aspersa and Neohelix albolabris demonstrate that regardless of how the diameter is measured, one always obtains the same coefficient of variation for a given sample.

3. ARCHAEOMALACOLOGY

Henk K. Mienis
& Gideon Hadas

ARCHAEOMALACOLOGICAL FINDS IN THE VICINITY OF 'EN GEDI
3. MOLLUSCS FROM AN ANCIENT AQUADUCT IN NAHAL ARUGOT

Abstract: Thirteen species of land- and freshwater molluscs are reported from the lower aquaduct in Nahal Arugot, which carried water from 'En Arugot to the ancient agricultural terraces in the oasis of 'En Gedi during the Roman-Byzantine period. Nine species are still living today in the vicinity of 'En Gedi, however, the four others show that a local microclimate allowed at least three Mediterranean (M) and one northern Palearctic (P) species, resp. Gyraulus piscinarum, Monacha syriaca and Xeropicta vestalis joppensis (M) and Vallonia pulchella (P) to live on the agricultural terraces and near the lower aquaduct in an otherwise arid region.

Henk K. Mienis

AN IRON AGE PENDANT FOUND AT TEL MALHATA
MADE FROM A 75 MILLION YEARS OLD FOSSIL

Abstract: A unique, man made pendant made from a 75 million years old fossil Pectinid species: Neithea dutrugei, is reported here from the excavation of Tel Malhata, and Iron Age site in the Negev.

4. BRACHIOPODA

Henk K. Mienis

NOTES ON RECENT BRACHIOPODA 1. BRIEF INTRODUCTION
AND A FIRST RECORD OF GRYPHUS VITREUS FROM CYPRUS

Abstract: A brief introduction is given to the Brachiopoda: bivalve shelled invertebrates, which do not belong to the Mollusca, but constitute a separate phylum. In addition the first record is given of Gryphus vitreus from Cyprian waters.

4. MISCELLANEA

Heiman, E.L.

BOOK REVIEW: EVOLUTION, THE TRIUMPH OF AN IDEA

Singer, B.S.

ISRAELI TELEPHONE CARDS WITH A SHELL

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