New records of Tindariopsis (Pelecypoda, Protobranchia) from Brazil - Campos Basin (off Rio de Janeiro)

Abstract

As a part of the Environmental Characterization of the Campos Basin project, we obtained samples from the continental slope benthos. As a consequence, specimens of Tindariopsis aeolata (Dall, 1889) and Tindariopsis agathida (Dall, 1889) were found. These species show prodissoconch surface sculpture patterns that were never seen for species of Tindariopsis. The presence of this kind of sculpture in the type species of the genus, T. agathida, adds diagnostic characters to the genus. T. agathida and T. aeolata are typical from the Caribbean Realm (Guyana and Tobago). This is the first record of T. aeolata in the southernmost area of the Atlantic Ocean, and also the shallowest record (1000 m) for this species. With this finding of specimens from the Bacia de Campos, the distribution of T. agathida can now be extended in the Brazilian coast from 7° to 22° S.