A review of the Indo-Pacific Lioconcha Mörch (Mollusca : Bivalvia : Veneridae), including a description of four new species from Queensland, New Caledonia and the Philippine Islands

Abstract

The Indo-West Pacific venerid genus Lioconcha is reviewed, with special emphasis on species occurring in the Australian and New Caledonian regions. Nineteen species, including four new species, are recognised: Lioconcha castrensis (Linnaeus, 1758), L. macaulayi n. sp., L. hieroglyphica (Conrad, 1837), L. tigrina (Lamarck, 1818), L. fastigiata (Sowerby, 1851), L. annettae Lamprell & Whitehead, 1990, L. pseudofastigiata n. sp., L. ornata (Dillwyn, 1817), L. berthaulti n. sp., L. sowerbyi (Deshayes, 1853), L. polita (Röding, 1798), L. schioettei n. sp., L. trimaculata (Lamarck, 1818), L. philippinarum (Hanley, 1844), L. dautzenbergi (Prashad, 1932), L. melharteae Lamprell & Stanisic, 1996, L. caledonensis Harte & Lamprell, 1999, L. richerdeforgesi Lamprell & Stanisic, 1996 and L. gordoni (E. A. Smith, 1885). Colour variation within species ranges from very high (L. ornata, L. castrensis) to very low (L. melharteae, L. caledonensis, L. philippinarum). All species are figured, diagnosed and discussed and a key is presented. Types of the following taxa are also figured: neotype of Venus ornata Dillwyn, 1817; holotypes of Lioconcha berthaulti n. sp.; L. macaulayi n. sp.; L. pseudofastigiata n. sp.; L. schioettei n. sp.; L. annettae Lamprell & Whitehead, 1990; Cytherea tigrina Lamarck, 1818; Hysteroconcha (?Lamelliconcha) dautzenbergi Prashad, 1932 and Cytherea sulcatina Lamarck, 1818; lectotypes of Cytherea hebraea Sowerby, 1851 and Circe sowerbyi Deshayes, 1853. Lectotypes of Cytherea hieroglyphica Conrad and C. fastigiata Sowerby are based on original figures, in the absence of other undoubted type material. Subdivision of Lioconcha into two subgenera (Lioconcha sensu stricto and Sulcilioconcha), based solely on the presence or absence of concentric ridge sculpture, appears unwarranted.