52 — Amalda (Gracilispira) benthicola

Amalda (G.) benthicola, ex-pisces,
Chatham Rise, 07/2004.

This wee sea shell (~10mm) is very little-known. Amalda (Gracilispira) benthicola (Dell, 1956) was, for a long time considered to be a deep-water form of A. (G.) novaezealandiae. However, recently it was discovered that it was a distinct species. What's interesting about this one is how it was obtained...

This example came from the stomach of a deep-sea fish called a serrulate rattail (Coryphaenoides serrulatus Günther, 1878). The fish was caught in 901m of water on northeastern Chatham Rise, not far from the Andes complex of seamounts. Serrulate rattails are deep-sea scavengers and will eat pretty much anything which fits in their mouths. They are found in deep-water (~500–1300m) around New Zealand, south eastern Australia and South Africa. They are commonly taken as bycatch in deep-water fisheries for orange roughy, but since they have no commercial or curio value they are dumped once caught.

Amalda (G.) benthicola, ex-pisces,
Chatham Rise, 07/2004.

Fish stomachs can be really useful vectors for the collection of marine samples, as fish can often go into areas where nets can't and can eat small animals, which would not normally be retained in nets or dredges. A New Zealander called Gordon Williams pioneered this method of collection back in the 1950's and there are molluscan species named williamsi in honour of his contribution. He wrote a book, published in 1964 (which is now very hard to get) detailing his methods and discoveries in the Mt. Maunganui–Bay of Plenty region.






More info:
  http://olivirv.myspecies.info/sites/olivirv.myspecies.info/files/Review%20of%20the%20genus%20Amalda%20from%20-%20Hart%2C%20M.%20%28Mike%29.pdf