Description of a New Species of the Genus Epidendrium from Japan, with Taxonomical Comments on the Taxa Previously Assigned to the Genus Alora in the Northwestern Pacific (Gastropoda: Epitoniidae)

Abstract

The northwestern Pacific species of the genus Epidendrium Gittenberger & Gittenberger, 2005, and those previously assigned to the genus Alora are reviewed based mainly on the conchological characters. The species previously identified as Alora billeeana (DuShane & Bratcher, 1965) in this area is correctly identified herein as E. aureum Gittenberger & Gittenberger, 2005, and another species in the genus, E. sordidum Gittenberger & Gittenberger, 2005, is recorded for the first time in the Japanese waters. Alora reticulata (Habe, 1962) is transferred to the genus Epidendrium, and an additional new species is described as E. parvitrochoides n. sp. from Japan. Alora annulata (Kuroda & Ito, 1961) is retained in the genus Alora following most recent works, and Alora kiiensis Nakayama, 2000 is transferred to the genus Tuba Lea, 1833 in the basal heterobranch family Mathildidae based on the characteristic heterostrophic protoconch and overall teleoconch features.