Genus 278. Larnacostupa,[1] n. gen.
Definition.—Larnacida with spongy lentelliptical cortical shell, with radial spines on the surface. Medullary shell double, Larnacilla-shaped.
The genus Larnacostupa differs from the preceding Larnacospongus only in the possession of radial spines, covering either the whole surface irregularly or disposed in a certain symmetrical order.
1. Larnacostupa octacantha, n. sp.
Cortical shell lentelliptical, with thorny surface, and rather dense, irregular, spongy framework, which arises from an inner latticed cortical shell, like that of Tetrapyle or Pylonium. This latter is twice as large as the enclosed Larnacilla-shell. Eight long and thin, cylindrical, radial spines, opposite in pairs in two diagonal planes. (Seems to be the common Tetrapyle octacantha, enveloped by an outer spongy framework mantle.)
Dimensions.—Length of the whole shell (without spines) 0.22, breadth 0.16; length of the medullary shell 0.06, breadth 0.04.
Habitat.—Indian Ocean, Madagascar, Rabbe, surface.
2. Larnacostupa spinosa, n. sp.
Cortical shell lentelliptical, about one and a half times as long as broad, with very lax and irregular spongy framework, arising from a nearly quadrangular lattice-shell like that of Tetrapyle; this latter encloses a Larnacilla-shell of half its size. Whole surface covered with thin bristle-like radial spines, of about the length of the shell.
Dimensions.—Length of the whole shell (without spines) 0.18, breadth 0.12; length of the medullary shell 0.05, breadth 0.035.
Habitat.—Antarctic Ocean, off Kerguelen, Station 150, surface.
3. Larnacostupa dendrophora, n. sp.
Cortical shell nearly spherical, scarcely longer than broad, with lax, irregular spongy framework, arising from a lentelliptical trizonal medullary shell (like Larnacilla). Whole surface covered with thin arborescent radial spines, about half as long as the shell, each spine with three to six irregular branches.
Dimensions.—Length of the whole shell (without spines) 0.15, breadth 0.13; length of the medullary shell 0.07, breadth 0.04.
Habitat.—Antarctic Ocean, Station 154, surface.
- ↑ Larnacostupa = Chest with hemp envelop; λάρναξ, στύπη.
