A co-authored paper describing three new muricid gastropods from the western Pacific, has been published in the peer-reviewed journal The Nautilus!
Of the three muricids described in this paper, one is a Chicomurex from the Philippines and Kwajalein Atoll – Chicomurex excelsus Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017. With live-taken specimens known from 150~200 m deep (dead shells have been collected as shallow as 60 m), this species is characterised by a long siphonal canal which carries intricately webbed fronds but lacks in strong recurved spines. This unique siphonal canal sculpture, as well as a lower spire and a more angular final teleoconch whorl, separate it from C. gloriosus (Shikama, 1977), the closest congener which it co-occurs with.
Chicomurex excelsus Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017, Holotype (7-9) and Paratype CM (10-11)
The other two species described are from Fiji and in the genus Chicoreus (Triplex) – Chicoreus kaitomoei Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017 and Chicoreus aquilus Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017, both being small-sized (<40 mm) for the genus. Although C. kaitomoei has been confused with C. aculeatus (Lamarck, 1822) and C. nobilis Shikama, 1977, these two species have multispiral protoconchs implying planktotrophic development unlike C. kaitomoei which has a pausispiral protoconch implying lecithotrophic development. The teleoconch of C. kaitomoei is by very short variceal spines (except those from P1-3) and a siphonal canal with three abapically bent spines concentrated on the anterior half. This species inhabit shallow waters around 9~30 m deep and is named after Kaito Moe, son of Chris Moe.
Chicomurex kaitomoei Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017, Holotype (21-23) and Paratype CM (24-25)
Finally, C. aquilus which is only known from the holotype taken from 31~40 m deep in Fiji, is a highly distinctive species closest to C. rubescens (Broderip, 1833) and a few other species belonging to Chicoreus “group 2” (sensu Houart, 1992) but easily distinguished by differences in varice and aperture characteristics.
Chicoreus aquilus Houart, Moe & Chen, 2017, Holotype
Houart R*, Moe C, Chen C (2017). Description of three new muricids (Gastropoda: Muricidae: Muricinae) from the Philippines and Fiji. The Nautilus, 131(4): 207-216.