Table Of ContentTHE NAUTILUS 110(1):17-21, 1996 Page 17
Cahisacijpraea, A New, Possibly Neotenic Genus of Cowries
(Gastropoda: Cypraeidae) from the Pliocene of
Southern Florida
Edward Petuch
J.
Department of Geology
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Horida 33431 USA
ABSTRACT cene Okeechobean Sea. This previously-overlooked ge-
nus, here named Calusacypraea, bears many juvenile
TfrhoemntehewOckyepercaheoidbegaennuSesaCraelgui^onacoyfpPrlaicoacenn,egseonu.thiesrndeFslcorriibdead cliaracters into adulthood (so much so that I discarded
This new genus is unusual among American fossil cowries in numerous choice adult specimens, thinking that they
that it bearsmany juvenileshell characters intoadulthood and were mereK'juvenileorsubadult Siphocypraea species!).
possibly represents a neotenic evolutionary offshoot of Sipho- This new, possibly neotenic, genus and its new species
cypraea. Based on paleoecological inferences, Calusacypraea are described and discussed here.
was an inhabitant of shallow water lagoonal and estuarine en-
vironmentsand becameextinct at theend of the Pliocene \\ith
the obliteration of the Okeechobean lagoonal svstenis. Three SYSTEMATICS
newCalusacypracaspeciesaredescribed;C. brianin. sp, (from
Superfamily Cypraeoidea Rafinesque, 1815
Petuch Unit7), C. diierri n. sp. (typeofthegenus, from Petuch
Unit 10), and C. tequesta nsp. (from Petuch Unit 4). The Family Cypraeidae Rafinesque, 1815
Genus Calusacypraca new genus
previously described species, C. sarasotaensis (Petuch, 1994),
is included in this new genus. Diagnosis: Cvpraeid shellsof average to largesize, rang-
Key words: C\praeidae, Calusacypraca. Pliocene, Florida. ing from 35 to 70 mm in length, extremely inflated, thin,
delicate, bulliform; apices characteristically very de-
pressed, forming distinct apical pit; posterior edge of lip
typically highly-developed, greatly-projecting beyond
INTRODUCTION plane of spire; columellar side of apical area poorly-
developed,onlyslightly projectingbeyond planeofspire;
Southern Florida has long been known to house the larg- anterior extremities poorly developed, without distinct
est Pliocene cov\rie fauna found anywhere in the United projecting beaks; ends of anterior extremities do not ex-
States. The works of Heilprin (1886), Mansfield (1931), tend beyond end of anterior canal, producing rounded,
Olssonand Petit (1964, 1968), Parodiz(1988),and Petuch blunt, sheared-off appearance; in some species, anterior
(1986, 1991, 1994), altogether, show that the ecosystems extremity on labial side almost absent, with extremity
of the Okeechobean Sea region of Pliocene Florida (Pe- blendingintoroundedendof lipandgivingshelljuvenile
tuch, 1994:26) contained at least 23 different cowrie spe- appearance; bases of shells very rounded; margins of
cies. With theexceptionofonespeciesof Pseudozonaria, shells poorly-developed, rounded, with only thin enamel
all were thought to belong to a single endemic genus, deposits; anterior canal thickened, bordered by promi-
Siphocypraea Heilprin, 1886. The southern Caribbean nent enamel collar; apertures proportionally narrow,
Gatunian cowries previously placed in Siphocypraea are variabK widening toward anterior end; columellar teeth
now placed in Barycypraea (Muracypraea). This classic proportionally small, thin, and narrow, extending along
Okeechobean genus radiated into numerous neritic hab- length of columella; some species with row of obsolete,
itats during the late Pliocene, but became extinct in tlie secondar\ teeth developed along anterior end of colu-
early Pleistocene. The genera Macrocypraea and Luria mella; labial teeth well-developed, confined to edge of
later replaced Siphocypraea in the local reef commu- lip; tossula nonexistent; color pattern (when preserved)
nities (Petuch, 1994:11). composed of numeroussmall, closely-spaced dotson dor-
Recently, studies of new collections of fossil cowries sum.
from the Quality .Aggregates, Inc., quarries at Sarasota
(housed at Florida Atlantic University) have shown that Type Species: Calusacypraea duerri Petuch, new spe-
there existed a second endemic cowrie genus in the Plio- cies, lower Pinecrest Beds (Petuch Unit 10), Tamiami
Page 18 THE NAUTILUS, Vol. 110, No. 1
Formation, Piacenzian Pliocene ot southern Florida, Calusacypraea ma\ ha\e represented a neotenicoffshoot
U.S.A.. of Siphocypraca that had evolved to live in the extensive
brackish water lagoons (such as the paleoestuary of the
Other Species .4ssigned to Calusacypraea: Cahisacy-
proto-Myakka River) that fringed theentire western coast
praea hriani Petuch, new species, Pinecrest Beds(Petuch
of the Pliocene Floridian peninsula (Petuch, 1994, Fig.
Unit 7), Tamiami Formation; Calusacypraea saraso- 10). With the onset of the late Pliocene glacioeustatic
taensis (Petuch, 1994), Pinecrest Beds (Petuch Unit 3), regressive sequences, these estuarine environments were
Tamiami Formation; Calusacypraea tequesta Petuch,
obliterated and the ecologicalK-narrow genus became
new species, Pinecrest Beds (Petuch Unit 4), Tamiami
extinct.
Formation.
The descriptions of three new Calusacypraea species
Stratigraphic Range: .\t present, known oni\ from the are given here, along with the description of the only
Piacenzian Pliocene of southern Florida (Pinecrest Beds, previously-known species, C. sarasotacnsis (Petuch,
Tamiami F"ormation). 1994). The holotypes are deposited in the Invertebrate
Etymology: Named for the Calusa Indian tribe of pre- Paleontology collections of the Florida Museum of Nat-
Columbian southern Florida. ural History, L ni\ersit\ of Florida, Gainesville, Florida,
and bear LF numbers.
Remarks: Calusacypraea is most closely related to the
s\mpatric genus Siphocypraca and probably represents Calusacypraea hriani new species
a neotenic evolutionary offslioot of this sister group. The
newgenusdiffersfrom Siphucypraca in consistently hav- (figures 1, 2)
ingmuchthinner, moredelicate,and muchmoreinflated
shells with a distinctly juvenile appearance (an example Description: Basic morphology as for genus; shell large
of neoteny?). The anterior extremities of Siphocypraca for genus, elongated and subcylindrical; aperture nar-
are well-developed and flange-like, with most species row, widening slightly at anterior end; columellar lip
having the extremities formed into large, greatly-pro- with 22 small, narrow teeth; columellar teeth sub-obso-
jecting beaks that extend beyond the end of the siphonal lete toward posteriorend, becomingstrongerand better-
canal (Figure 9). In Calusacypraea the anterior extrem- developed toward anterior end; outer lip with 26 small
itiesaredistinctly truncated and poorK developed, never but well-developed teeth; base of shell roimded; margins
extending beyond the end of the siphonal canal, a mor- poorly developed; apical pit deep, surrounded b\' raised
phology generally seen only in juvenile cowries. In some apical collar; posterior columellar extremity small but
species of Calusacypraea (such as C. sarasotacnsis) the well-developed, narrow and bladelike.
extremitiesareasymmetricallydeveloped, withthelabial
etxhterceumritvyatubreeinogf tvihretulaipl,K'muucnfhorasmeindaanjudvebnilleen.ding into Twiydpteh M4a3temrmia;l:2 Hpaorlaottyyppees,, UleFngt6h8s247S5,mlmengatnhd7732 mmmm,.
The greatest differences between Calusacypraea and Graves Museum of Archaeology and Natural History,
Siphocypraca areseen in theposteriorareaof theirshells. Dania, Florida; 3 paratypes, lengths75 mm, 73 mm, and
In Siphocypraca, the posterior extremities are well-de- 68 mm, collection of the author, Florida Atlantic Uni-
veloped and symmetrical, with the columellar extremity versity.
projecting as much or nearly as much as the labial ex- Type Locality: Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch I'nit 7),
tremity and characteristically forming a deep, narrow, Tamiami Formation, in Phase 7 pit. Quality Aggregates,
and curved apical sulcus (F"igure 11). In Calusacypraea Inc., Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida.
the columellar posterior extremity is nearly obsolete, be-
ing represented by only a thin, angled, bladelike keel. Remarks: Calusacypraea hriani is the most elongated
Unlike Siphocypraca, Calusacypraea species lack the and cylindriform species in Calusacypraea. It is most
curved, narrow apical sulcus, having, instead, a propor- similar to the older C. duerri from Petuch Unit 10, but
tionally small, sharply-defined, deeply-impressed apical differs in having a much narroyver aperture, in having
pit (Figure 10). proportionally larger and coarser teeth on the outer lip,
Ecologically, Calusacypraea species appear to have and in having smaller and less elongated teeth on the
occupiedadifferentnichethandidSiphocypracaspecies. columellar lip. The posterior columellar extremity of C.
Without exception, all lour known species of the new hriani is also better-developed and larger than that of C.
genus have only ever been found in muddy-sand, ex- duerri, producing a much more distinct posterior sulcus.
treme nearshore facies of the Pinecrest Beds. These de- Calusacypraea hriani yvas collected trom sediments
positional environments imply estuarine conditions, and that indicate a very shallow, quiet, intertidal mud flat
Figures 1-1 I. Species ol Calusacypraea, iitw genus, Irom the coastal lagoonai environments of the Pliocene Okeechobean Sea.
1.2. Calusacypraea briani, newspecies, holotype (length 7.3 mm), Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch Unit 7), Tamiami Formation. 3.4.
Calusacypraea duerri, neyv species, holotype, length 64 mm. Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch I'nit 10), Tamiami Formation, 5.6.
Calusacypraea sarasotacnsis (Petuch, 1994), length 42 mm, specimen from the Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch L'nit .3), Tamiami
E. Petuch, 1996 Page 19
J.
Formation, APAC pit, Sarasota. 7.8. Calusacypraea tequesta, new species, holot\pe, length 73 mm, Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch
Unit 4), Tamiami Formation. 9. Siphucypiaca problematica Heiiprin, 1886, length .56 mm, specimen from the Caloosahatchee
Fauna, Okeechobee Formation, in the Cochran Pit, La Belle, Hendry County. Type species of Siphocypraea Heiiprin, 1886. 10.
Apical view of Calusacypraea duerri, new species (type species of Calusacypraea), showing details of apical pit morphology. 11.
Apical view of Siphocypraea problematica. showing details of apical sulcus morphology.
Page 20 THE NAUTILUS, Vol. 110, No. 1
environment and was louiul uith other estuarine species gins not produced; aperture proportionally very wide
sucli as Echinojulfiiir dalli Petucli, 1994, Cymatophos and open, becoming widest at anterior end; columellar
lindae Petuch, 1991,and Bttsycun Irupicalia Petuch, 1994. lip with 14 small, poorly-developed teeth; outer lip with
Etymology: Named for my son, Brian N. Petuch, one of 19 small teeth; posterior sulcus poorly-developed, open,
my curvingslightly tothe left; extremitiespoorK-developed,
best field assistants.
very rounded; fossula nonexistent."
Calwiacijpraea ducrri new species Typematerial: Holotype, UF66226, length 40mm, width
18mm.
(figures 3, 4)
Description: Basic morphology as for genus; shell very TTyapmeiaLmoicalFiotry:maPtiinoencreisntABPedAsCFpaiut,naSa(rPaestotuac,h SUanriatso3t)a,
inflated, rounded, ovate; aperture wide, flaring toward
County, Florida.
anterior end; columellar lip with 24 small, narrovw and
elongated teeth; posteriorcolumellarteeth lessdeveloped Remarks:
than anterior teeth, frequently bifurcated; outer lip with Although originally described as coming from Petuch
23 small teeth; base of shell rounded; margins poorly Unit 6, Calusacypraea sarasotaensis is now known to
developed; apical pit deep; posterior columellar extrem- occur much higher stratigraphically, in Petuch Unit 3.
ity small, low, poorly-developed. The genus Calusacypraea becomes extinct after Unit 3
Type Material: Holotype, UP 68249, length 64 mm, time, and C. sarasotaensis is the last-living member of
width 40 mm; 3 paratypes, 72 mm, 66 mm, and 65 mm, its genus. It is also the smallest Calusacypraea species,
Graves Museum of Archaeology and Natural History, averaging a length of only one-half that of the other
Dania, Florida; 3 paratypes, lengths70 mm, 65 mm, and threecongeners. Calusacypraeasarasotaensismostclosely
61 mm, collection of the author, Florida Atlantic Uni- resembles the much older, stratigraphically lower C.
duerri from Petuch Unit 10, but differs in having a
versity; 1 parat\pe in thecollectionof Mr. Richard Duerr, smaller and more rotund shell, fewer and coarser labial
Hollywood, Florida.
and colimiellar teeth, and a better-developed and more
Type Locality: Pinecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch Unit 10), prominent posterior columellar extremity.
Tamiami Formation, in Phase 6 pit. Quality Aggregates, Colonies of C. sarasotaensis have been collected in
Inc., Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida. muddy-sand facies of Ihiit 3 along with characteristic
estuarine species such as Calophos nanus Petuch, 1994,
Remarks: Calusacypraea diteni. the type species of the
Echinofulgur lielenae Olsson, 1967, and Littorina lin-
genus, is most similar to the younger and stratigraphi-
dae Petuch, 1994.
calK-higher C. sarasotaensis (Petuch, 1994), but differs
in being a much larger shell with more numerous and Etymology: Named forSarasotaCounty, thegeneralarea
better-developed columellar and labial teeth. The apical of the type locality.
pit of C. duerri is deeper and more impressed than that
of C. sarasotaensis. and the posterior columellarextrem- Calusacypraea tequesta new species
ity of the new species is much lower and more poorly-
(figures 7, 8)
developed than that of the younger, descendant species.
Calusacypraea duerri was an inhabitant of a muddy- Description: Basic morphology as for genus; shell very
sand substrate, shallow water ecosystem dominated by inflated, iMilliform, large for genus; aperture proportion-
the large bivalves Mcrccnaria iridacnoides (Lamarck, all\ wide, becoming wider and more open toward an-
1818), M, ochlochoneensis (Mansfield, 1932), and M. teriorend; columellar lip v\ith 19 large, prominent teeth;
rileyi (Conrad, 1838), and classic estuarine gastropods some columellar teeth bifurcate; outer lip with 22 large
suchasthemelongenids TropochascapctitiOlsson, 1967, and prominent teeth; base of shell rounded; margins
Ecltinojulgur cannoni Petuch, 1994, and Mcluitgena poorly-developed accept in area bordering anterior end,
taurus Petuch, 1994, and large busyconids such as Bu- where they become flattened and sharp-angled; apical
syconfilosum Conrad, 1862, B. tritonis (Conrad, 1867), pit very deep; posterior columellar extremit\ large and
B. pachijus Petuch, 1994, Sinistrofiilgur hollisieri Pe- well-developed, thin and bladelike.
tuch, 1994, and S. grabaui Petucli, 1994 Type Material: Holotype, L'F68250. length 73mm, width
Etymology:The new taxon honors Mr. Richartl Duerr of 47 mm; 1 paratype, length 75 mm. Graves Museum of
Hollywood, Florida, whocollected the holol)pe in Qual- Archaeolog\ and Natural Histor\, Dania, Florida; 2
ity Aggregates Phase 6 pit. parat\pes, lengths 75 mm and 72 mm, collection of the
author, Florida .Atlantic University.
Calusacypraea sarasotaensis (Petuch, 1994) Type Locality: l^inecrest Beds Fauna (Petuch Unit 4),
(figures 5, 6) Tamiami Formation, in APA(^ pit, Sarasota, Sarasota
County.
Original DeM-ription (from Petuch, 1994:271, as Siph-
ocypraeasarasotaensis): "Shellsmall forgenus, rounded, Remarks: Calusacypraea tequesta is most similar, es-
very inflated and bulliform; base of shell rounded, mar- pecialK in its inflated, bulliform shell shape, to C. duerri
E. Petuch. 1996 Page 21
J.
from Petuch Unit 10. The new species differs from the LITERATURE CITED
older, stratigraphically lower C. ducrri in being a larger
shell, in having fewer, larger, and coarser labial and Heilpriii, .A. 1886. Explorationson the West Coast of Florida
columellar teeth, and in having better-developed and and in tiieOkeecliobee Wilderness, with special reference
to the Geologv and Zoology of the Floridian Peninsula.
more flattened margins bordering the anterior end. Cal- Transactions of the Wagner Free Institute of Science of
usacijpraea tequesta hasthecoarsestdentitionofthefour Philadelphia. l;.365-50(5. (often incorrectlydatedas 1887).
known species of Calusacypraca. This new species is a Mansfield,W.C;. 1931. SomeTertiary MollusksfromSouthern
component of the rich estuarine fauna found in Petuch P^lorida. Proceedingsof the L'.S. National Museum of Nat-
Unit 4 in the Sarasota quarries ("Black Layer"), where ural History 79(21):1-12.
it is collected with Siphocypraea inetae Petuch, 1994, Olsson, A. A. and R. E. Petit. 1964. Some Neogene Mollusca
Pijrazisintis scalimis (Olsson, 1967), P. lindae Petuch, from Florida and the Carolinas. Bulletins of American
1994, Ccrithidea lindae Petuch, 1994, Btdia sarasoiaen- Paleontology 47(217):509-575.
sis Petuch, 1994, Mclongcna draperi Petuch, 1994, and Olsson, A. A. and R. E. Petit. 1968. Notes on Siphocypraeo-
Echinofulgur jonesae Petuch. 1994. Bulletins of American Paleontology 54(242): 279-289.
Parodiz, 1988. A New Species of Siphocypraea (Gas-
J. J.
Etymology: Named for theTequesta Indian tribe of pre- tropoda: Cvpraeidae) from the Neogene of Southwest
Columbian southern Florida. Florida. Annals of the Carnegie Museum 57(3):91-97.
Petuch, E. 1986. The Pliocene Reefs of Miami; Their Ge-
J.
omorphological Significance in the Evolution of the At-
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