Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990) : Part 5. Mollusca, Gastropoda, Muricidae

This report deals with the species of Muricidae collected during the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition on Ambon. At 44 stations, a total of 58 species in 23 genera of the prosobranch gastropod family Muricidae were obtained. The identity and the classification of several nominal taxa is revised. Four species are new to science and are described here: Pygmaepterys cracentis spec. nov. (Muricopsinae), Pascula ambonensis spec. nov. (Ergalataxinae), Thais hadrolineae spec. nov. and Morula rumphiusi spec. nov. (Rapaninae). Some comments are included on the Muricidae described by Rumphius and on their identification. In his "Amboinsche Rariteitkamer" (1705) 21 species of muricids were included, of which 16 were illustrated by Rumphius or Schijnvoet. The identity of those species is determined. During the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition seven of these species have been refound.