Clelandella perforata Gofas 2005

Type of larval development: short planktonic, non-planktotrophic as usual in Vetigastropoda and Patellogastropoda

Shell conical, 8-9 mm high, with tiny protoconch of less than one whorl and teleoconch up to 5-6 whorls. Sculpture of beaded spiral cords as wide as interspaces, one of which concealed by the suture and continued on peripheral angle of last whorl. Profile of first teleoconch whorl convex, of later whorls less so but swollen subsuturally, with suture somewhat canaliculated. Abapical surface slightly convex, bearing 6-10 spiral cords, as wide as interspaces, crossed by growth lines but not beaded. Axis with distinct umbilicus, bordered by columellar edge. Shell colour whitish with nacre generally showing through, some specimens without pattern, others with broad brown or reddish flames starting from suture and with peripheral rim white articulated by brown streaks; others with adapical cords and peripheral rim articulated; abapical cords generally colourless, sometimes articulated. Clelandella perforata differs from C. dautzenbergi Gofas, 2005, found on the Lusitanian seamounts, and from C. miliaris (Brocchi, 1814), the mainland species, in being distinctly umbilicate at all stages. As in C. dautzenbergi, there is a clear contrast between the strongly beaded adapical cords and the nearly smooth abapical cords, but the profile of the shell is different between the two species. Clelandella perforata has a distinctly channelled suture, resulting in a trochiform outline. Contrary to other species, the peripheral cord is not very much wider than the other adapical cords of the same whorl and does not form a conspicuous rim; it is covered by several minute spirals.

Great Meteor, Hyères, Irving and Atlantis seamounts, common alive in 280-520 m depth.