Review of the Septibranchia (Pelecypoda: Mollusca) from deep sea of Campos Basin, Brazil: family Verticordiidae, with description of a new species
Despite the increase in the number of deep-sea studies, little is known about the hadal molluscs. For Brazil, only a few studies have treated the Septibranchia. This contribution is part of an effort to increase the knowledge of this group off the Brazilian coast, although it is focused only on the Campos Basin (22°S), State of Rio de Janeiro. Four species of the family Verticordiidae are recognized here. ForSpinosipella tingaSimone & Cunha, 2008, the known depth distribution is extended to 1050 m. ForVerticordia woodiiSmith, 1885, previously reported from Brazil, the known distribution is extended southwards to the Campos Basin.Verticordia quadrataSmith, 1885, is reported from Brazil for the first time. A previously unknown species,Verticordia ouricurisp. nov., is described. The presence of small spines, typically with a hexagonal column and a stellate structure at their distal end emerges as an additional taxonomic character for the verticordiids.