Five new species of Bolma are described, three from New Caledonia, one from Mozambique and one from French Polynesia, all from deep reef (75-155 m) to bathyal (230-580 m) depths. Four of the new species have been sequenced, and their holotypes are also voucher specimens for COl sequences, thus contributing to a new generation of name-bealing types. The descriptions and names are provided in advance of a forthcoming shell-based revision of the genus Bolma, and in advance of a detailed molecular- and morphology-based study of Bolma in New Caledonian waters.

EBISCO, HALICAL 1, LAGON, MAINBAZA, MUSORSTOM 4, NORFOLK 2, SMIB 2, SMIB 4, SMIB 5, TARASOC

LIFOU 2000

The Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD, formerly ORSTOM) and Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN) launched in the early 1980s a suite of oceanographic expeditions to sample the deep-water benthos of the tropical South and West Pacific, with emphasis on the 100-1,500 m bathymetric zone. This paper reviews the development of this programme to date. It describes the procedures involved in curating the material collected and the involvement of an international network of taxonomic experts to identify, describe and name the molluscan fauna. So far, 1,028 species of molluscs have been recorded from the New Caledonia Exclusive Economic Zone from depths below 100 m, and 601 of these (58.4%) were new species. An additional 142 new species have been described from other South Pacifi c island groups (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Wallis and Futuna, Tonga, Marquesas Islands and Austral Islands). However, the hyper-diverse families have essentially remained untouched. Regional differences among island groups are high, and New Caledonia, which has been sampled best, shows several discrete areas of micro-endemism. We speculate that the deep-sea mollusc fauna of New Caledonia may amount to 15-20,000 species, and the corresponding number for the whole South Pacifi c may be in the order of 20-30,000 species.

AURORA 2007, AZTEQUE, BATHUS 1, BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, BENTHAUS, BERYX 11, BERYX 2, BIOCAL, BIOGEOCAL, BOA0, BOA1, BORDAU 1, BORDAU 2, CALSUB, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CONCALIS, CORAIL 2, CORINDON 2, GEMINI, HALICAL 1, HALIPRO 1, HALIPRO 2, KARUBAR, LAGON, LITHIST, LUMIWAN 2008, MUSORSTOM 1, MUSORSTOM 10, MUSORSTOM 2, MUSORSTOM 3, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 7, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2, PALEO-SURPRISE, PANGLAO 2005, SALOMON 1, SALOMON 2, SALOMONBOA 3, SANTO 2006, SMCB, SMIB 1, SMIB 10, SMIB 2, SMIB 3, SMIB 4, SMIB 5, SMIB 6, SMIB 8, SMIB 9, TAIWAN 2000, TAIWAN 2001, TAIWAN 2002, TAIWAN 2004, VAUBAN 1978-1979, VOLSMAR

SANTO 2006

Characterizing speciation processes in the sea remains a highly contentious issue because geographic barriers to gene exchange, which are the initial conditions for the allopatric speciation model, are not obvious. Moreover, many benthic marine organisms have long-lived planktonic larvae that allow them to connect distant patches of habitats. We here analyse the pattern of speciation in the gastropod genus Bursa in which all species have long-lived and planktonic-feeding larvae. We use a large taxonomic and ecologic coverage of Bursidae from the Indo-Pacific. We use an integrative approach to taxonomy to give more support to available taxonomic hypotheses. This analysis revealed cryptic lineages and suggest that a taxonomic revision of the family should be performed. A molecular clock calibrated from the fossil record was used to estimate divergence times. We then focus on the three co-existing species living in the deep waters of New Caledonia. Over the wide sampled area, no genetic structure was detected for the three species. We show that among New Caledonia species, Bursa fijiensis and Bursa quirihorai are reciprocally monophyletic. These two species are the two more closely related species in the inferred phylogeny. The present biogeographic ranges of the two species and the estimated time of divergence make the scenario of geographic isolation followed by secondary contact unlikely.

AURORA 2007, CONCALIS, EBISCO, MAINBAZA, MIRIKY, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2, PANGLAO 2004, PANGLAO 2005, SALOMON 2, TERRASSES

In shelled molluscs, assigning valid species names to independent evolutionary lineages can be a difficult task. Most original descriptions are based on empty shells and the high levels of variation in shape, color and pattern in some groups can make the shell a poor proxy for species-level identification. The deep-sea gastropod turbinid genus Bolma is one such example, where species-level identification based on shell characters alone is challenging. Here, we show that in Bolma both traditional and molecular taxonomic treatments are associated with a number of pitfalls that can lead to biased inferences about species diversity. Challenges derive from the few phylogenetically informative characters of shells, insufficient information provided in original descriptions and sampling artefacts, which at the molecular level in spatially fragmented organisms can blur distinctions between genetically divergent populations and separate species. Based on a comprehensive dataset combining molecular, morphological and distributional data, this study identified several cases of shell-morphological plasticity and convergence. Results also suggest that what was thought to be a set of distinct, range-restricted species corresponds instead to a smaller number of more widespread species. Overall, using an appropriate sampling design, including type localities, allowed us to assign available names to evolutionarily significant units.

ATIMO VATAE, AURORA 2007, BIOPAPUA, BORDAU 1, CONCALIS, EBISCO, EXBODI, MAINBAZA, MIRIKY, NORFOLK 2, PANGLAO 2004, PANGLAO 2005, SALOMON 2, SALOMONBOA 3, TAIWAN 2004, TERRASSES

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, TARASOC

Based on the specimens collected during three deep-sea cruises, and deposited at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris, we analysed the diversity of benthic communities within the EEZ of French Polynesia. The literature and the MNHN database allowed us to inventory 471 species of invertebrates, among which 169 were newly described. We mainly found data for Mollusca, Crustacea, Brachiopoda and Crinoidea. We also found samples from other taxa, which still remain unidentified within the collections of the MNHN. Although this inventory is incomplete, we demonstrate that the deep waters of French Polynesia host unique benthic communities and endemic species. Using diversity and multivariate analyses, we show that the deep-sea benthic communities are structured by depth, habitats, geography and also by the presence of polymetallic crust. Furthermore, by focusing on the molluscs of the central area of French Polynesia, we show that the spectrum of shell size differs among deep-sea habitats. Specifically, shells tend to be smaller on encrusted seamounts than on island slopes. Together with the size range of organisms, low abundance, rarity and endemism designate these habitats as sensitive. These results should thus be taken into account in the evaluation of the expected impact of mining activities on biological communities.

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, TARASOC

Fifty-two deep-water species of Pectinoidea (37 Propeamussiidae, 1 Entoliidae, 14 Pectinidae) are listed from Norfolk Ridge (11 species), Loyalty Islands (4 species), Fiji Islands (30 species), Tonga (26 species), Solomon Islands (26 species) and the Marquesas archipelago (8 species). All species from Fiji, Tonga and the Marquesas are new records and six species of Propeamussiidae are new to science: Propeamussium boucheti (Fiji and Tonga), Parvamussium biformatum (Solomons), Parvamussium lozoueti (Fiji and Tonga), Parvamussium marquesanum (Marquesas), Parvamussium polynesianum (Marquesas) and Similipecten herosae (Tonga). Two new combinations (Hyalopecten tydemani, Talochlamys gladysiae) are introduced.

BORDAU 1, BORDAU 2, LIFOU 2000, MUSORSTOM 10, MUSORSTOM 9, SALOMON 1

New species: Parvamussium liaoi n. sp., Scaeochlamys squamea n. sp. New records for Taiwan: Propeamussium siratama, Parvamussium aldeynzeri, Parvamussium cristatellum, Parvamussium undisonum, Parvamussium vesiculatum, Ciclopecten fluctuatus, Delectopecten musorstomi.

TAIWAN 2000, TAIWAN 2001, TAIWAN 2004

Twenty-nine species of Pectinoidea (12 Propeamussiidae, 1 Entoliidae, 16 Pectinidae) are recorded from the Austral Islands, the southernmost archipelago of French Polynesia. One genus (Pectinidae Lamellipecten n gen) and five species (Propeamussiidae. Parvamussium australanum 0 sp, Cyclochlangs australensts n. sp, Cyclopecten amblguns n sp.; Pectinidae Lamellipecten aduncus n gen., O sp, Altmachlamys eryona n sp.) are new to science, and most others are new records lot the archipelago The near-shore fauna of Rapa has 12 species of Pecunidae. and half of-these have narrow-range distributions. Such a remaikably high level of marine endemism is shared by other mollusc taxa on Rapa.

BENTHAUS, RAPA 2002

This paper documents the species of Pectinoidea Rafinesque, 1815 collected in Vanuatu during the SANTO 2006 expedition. A total of 49 species (13 Propeamussiidae Abbott, 1954, 4 Cyclochlamydidae n. fam., 1 Entoliidae Teppner, 1922, and 31 Pectinidae Rafinesque, 1815) are represented, of which 70% are new records for Vanuatu. A new family, Cyclochlamydidae n. fam., is established for the genera Cyclochlamys Finlay, 1926, Chlamydella Iredale, 1929 and Micropecten n. gen., formerly placed in Propeamussiidae, but differing by their sculptured prodissoconch (smooth in Propeamussiidae), an occasionally antimarginally sculptured right valve (smooth or weak commarginally sculptured in Propeamussiidae), a (common) simple outer prismatic layer of longitudinally hexagonal microstructure on the right valve (an outer layer of columnar calcite in Propeamussiidae). The family Cyclochlamydidae n. fam. Includes about 30 species, all with adult size in the 1.2-6 mm range, and living mainly in the Southern Hemisphere and Indo-West Pacific; the family is not known from the Arctic, the Atlantic, or the northern and eastern Pacific. One new genus, Micropecten n. gen., and two new species, Cyclochlamys aperta n. sp. And Micropecten excuratus n. gen., n. sp., are described.

BIOCAL, MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 8, SANTO 2006

Nineteen species of Pectinoidea (16 Propeamussiidae, 3 Pectinidae) are herein listed. All species from the Solomon Islands (9 species), and New Caledonia (Norfolk Ridge [7], main island of New Caledonia [1], Grand Passage [1], Coral Sea [1]) are new records. Two Propeamussiidae species are new to science: Parvamussium orbiculatum n. sp. (Solomon Islands and Coral Sea) and Parvamussium perspicuum n. sp. (Vanuatu). One pectinid species from Vanuatu (Juxtamusium sp.) will be described later, when more material becomes available.

BATHUS 1, BIOCAL, BOA1, CONCALIS, EBISCO, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, NORFOLK 2, SALOMON 2, SALOMONBOA 3, Restreint, TERRASSES

Eighteen species of Pectinoidea (six Propeamussiidae Abbott, 1954, one Entoliidae Teppner, 1922, eleven Pectinidae Rafinesque, 1815) are listed from the Tarava Seamounts, Society Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Four Propeamussiidae species (Parvamussium lamellatum n. sp., Parvamussium scutulatum n. sp., Parvamussium vesiculosum n. sp., Cyclopecten comptulus n. sp.) are new to science.

BENTHAUS, TARASOC

Twenty-five species of Pectinoidea (24 Propeamussiidae, 1 Cyclochlamydidae) are herein listed from the Mozambique Channel, northwestern and southern Madagascar, and northeastern South Africa. New species: Propeamussium rosadoi, Parvamussium catillus, Parvamussium kilburni, Parvamussium puillandrei, Parvamussium strongae, Cyclopecten cassiculus, Cyclopecten kantori, Cyclochlamys bacachorda. New synonym: Amussium sewelli Knudsen, 1967 = Propeamussium watsoni (E.A. Smith, 1885). New records for the Mozambique Channel and northwestern Madagascar: Propeamussium andamanicum, Propeamussium arabicum, Propeamussium caducum, Propeamussium jeffreysii, Propeamussium sibogai, Propeamussium watsoni, Parvamussium formosum, Parvamussium scitulum, Parvamussium torresi, Parvamussium vesiculatum, Cyclopecten kapalae, Similipecten eous. New records for southern Madagascar: Propeamussium jeffreysii, Propeamussium sibogai, Propeamussium watsoni, Parvamussium formosum, Parvamussium scitulum, Parvamussium thyrideum, Parvamussium vesiculatum, Parvamussium vidalense, Cyclopecten kapalae, Similipecten eous. New record for South Africa: Propeamussium jeffreysii, Parvamussium formosum, Parvamussium scitulum, Cyclopecten horridus, Similipecten eous.

ATIMO VATAE, BENTHEDI, Restreint, INHACA 2011, MAINBAZA, MIRIKY

BIOCAL, BIOPAPUA, BORDAU 1, DongSha 2014, GEMINI, KARUBAR, KAVIENG 2014, MADEEP, MUSORSTOM 5, NanHai 2014, PAPUA NIUGINI, TAIWAN 2013, ZhongSha 2015

LIFOU 2000, MONTROUZIER

Pacific specimens of Lithophaga and its subgenus Leiosolenus, collected during recent French expeditions to New Caledonia, Vanuatu, the Philippines and French Polynesia, were determined and described, including two new species, Lithophaga (Leiosolenus) paraplumula n. sp. And Lithophaga (Leiosolenus) subattenuata n. sp. From the twenty species, three belong to Lithophaga s.s. and seventeen to the subgenus Leiosolenus. In order to help identification of the two new species and some others, selected specimens are figured in left lateral, right lateral and dorsal view. A taxonomic key is provided for determination.

BATHUS 1, BENTHEDI, CHALCAL 1, CORAIL 2, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MD32 (REUNION), MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, PALEO-SURPRISE, PANGLAO 2004, Restreint, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006

RAPA 2002

LIFOU 2000, MONTROUZIER

The deep-sea part of the ‘Papua Niugini Biodiversity Expedition’ surveyed the deep-sea environments along the coasts of New Guinea Island in the Bismarck Sea, from the Vitiaz Strait to the border between Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Irian Jaya. This expedition was a follow-up of the BIOPAPUA cruise (2010) that gave some of the first insights into the diversity of the deep-sea fauna of the Bismarck and Solomon Seas for environments other than deep-sea hydrothermal vents. The main aims of the cruise were to survey the diversity of the fauna of (i) hard bottoms that are typically found on deep seamounts, (ii) Astrolabe Bay from 200 m to about 1000 m, (iii) the chemosynthetic environments of the deep sea, including cold-seep environments and plant debris. Astrolabe Bay was one of our targets because its topography allows sampling over the complete bathymetric gradient covered by our sampling gear (down to 1000 m depth), and the recent start of nickel refining activities in the bay is a potential threat to its marine fauna for which little reference data are available. Sampling in the bay revealed not only a diversified fauna associated with soft bottoms and plant debris, but also a chemosynthetic fauna typical of coldseep environments (e.g. siboglinid worms and bathymodioline mussels) below the Ramu refinery. Although the refinery activities had officially started just one week before our work in the area, we observed impacts of these activities. Our molecular work indicates that the siboglinid tubeworm species and one of the two mussel species collected below the Ramu refinery have so far only been documented from this location, despite intensive sampling effort. This illustrates the potential destructive effects of human activities in areas where the diversity and uniqueness of deep-sea communities are poorly understood.

BIOPAPUA, MADEEP, PAPUA NIUGINI

New records of Thysanodonta from New Caledonia area are listed. Thysanodonta diadema n. sp., T. pileum n. sp. and T. cassis n. sp. are described and compared with similar Thysanodonta species from New Caledonia that are also illustrated. Seven Thysanodonta species are recognised by now in New Caledonia, a eighth species occuring in the neighbouring Chesterfield Islands.

BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, BERYX 11, BIOCAL, CHALCAL 2, HALIPRO 2, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2, SMIB 8