The tonnoidean gastropod fauna of French Polynesia (54 species) includes 26 species recorded from the Austral Islands (including 10 from Rapa), 33 species from the Marquesas Islands, 39 from the Society Islands, 32 from the Tuamotu Islands, and 3 from the Tarava Seamounts. Most species have planktotrophic larval development and are distributed from East Africa to eastern Polynesia, but many common western Pacific species are not present. With the possible exception of Semicassis salmonea n. sp. (Cassidae), described from the Marquesas, and Gyrineum pusillum (Ranellidae), restricted to the Austral (and Tuamotu?) Islands in southeastern-most Polynesia, no species is endemic to any individual island groups, but several species with broad overall ranges are known from only one archipelago within French Polynesia. Three species (Monoplex intermedius, Septa peasei, Ranellidae; Distorsio graceiellae, Personidae) are much more common in the Marquesas Islands than further westwards. Three species of Bursidae (Bursa lamarckii, Bursina nobilis, Tutufa tenuigranosa) are recorded only from the Marquesas Islands, whereas the only record of Bursina fijiensis is from the Austral Islands. The two very similar species Bursa asperrima and B. cruentata have a complex distribution; only B. cruentata is common west of Hawaii, and only B. asperrima occurs east of Hawaii, but only B. cruentata has been collected at the Marquesas Islands. Ranella venustula is a synonym of Bursa rhodostoma. Neotypes are designated for Buccinum ponderosum Gmelin, 1791, B. nodulosum Gmelin, 1791, Cassis caputequinum Röding, 1798, C. denticulata Röding, 1798, C. glabra Röding, 1798, C. hamata Röding, 1798, Phalium edentulum Link, 1807, P. quadratum Link, 1807, Buccinum biarmatum Dillwyn, 1817, B. pantherina Dillwyn, 1817, Cassis tenuilabris Menke, 1828, and Dolium rufum Blainville, 1829, and lectotypes are designated for Buccinum cornutum Linnaeus, 1758, Murex bufonius Gmelin, 1791 and Cassis torquata Reeve, 1848.

BATHUS 2, BENTHAUS, BIOCAL, LITHIST, MUSORSTOM 9, NORFOLK 2, RAPA 2002, ???msg.security.private???, SALOMON 1, SALOMON 2, SMCB, TARASOC

LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MONTROUZIER, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006

Fifty-seven species of Cerithiopsidae and Newtoniellidae from French Polynesia are recorded and listed, extending their range distribution. A new genus, Australopsis, fifteen new species of Cerithiopsidae and two new species of Newtoniellidae are described.

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, RAPA 2002, TARASOC

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

LIFOU 2000, MONTROUZIER, PANGLAO 2004, PAPUA NIUGINI, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006

Four new species of Scissurellidae, Anatomidae, and Larocheidae are described from the Austral Archipelago, la reach Polynesia and the Indo-Malayan Archipelago: Sinezona danieldreieri new species, S. wiley new species (berth Scissurellidae), Anatoma rapaensis new species (Anatomidae) and Trogloconcha lozoueti new species (Larocheidae). One of the species is currently only known from the Austral Islands (T lozoueti), while the others seem to show a broad Indo-Malayan Archipelago to western Pacific distribution. Shells of all species and the radulae of S. danieldreieri, T. lozoueti, and A.rapaensis are illustrated with scanning electron micrographs.

LIFOU 2000, MUSORSTOM 9, RAPA 2002

The French Polynesian species of Muricidae are reviewed and updated. A total of 116 species is recognised; 10 of those are described as new to science: Poirieria (Paziella) tanaoa n.sp., Orania atea n.sp. and Pagodula atanua n.sp. from the Marquesas Archipelago, Aspella lozoueti n.sp. from Rapa, A. hildrunae n.sp. and A. helenae from the Society Archipelago. Favartia (F.) salvati n.sp. F. (F.) nivea n.sp., F. (Pygmaepterys) avatea n.sp. and Orania maestratii from the Austral Archipelago. Four additional species remained unidentified. The subfamily Thyphinae is recorded for the first time from French Polynesia. Favartia lillouxi Myers & Hertz, 1999 is considered as a new synonym of F. conleyi Houart, 1999 and F. guamensis Emerson & D'Attilio, 1979 is separated from F. crouchi (Sowerby, 1894). Tables listing the species and thier occurrence in the different Polynesian archipelagos are given for each subfamily. Twenty-six species are considered to be endemic.

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, RAPA 2002

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, ???msg.security.private???, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006

ATIMO VATAE, AURORA 2007, MAINBAZA, PANGLAO 2004, PANGLAO 2005, RAPA 2002, SALOMON 2, SANTO 2006

Fifty-eight species of Columbellidae are recorded from French Polynesia: 32 species were previously known and 26 are described as new species. The genus Mitropsis Pease, 1868 is re-established as valid. Twenty of the new species are deep-water species, 3 other are endemic species from the Austral Islands with a limited bathymetrical range, one species is only known from the Marquesas and the last 2 are species also from moderate depths with a Pacific range further than Polynesia. Of the known species, 22 have a wide Indo-Pacific range of which 19 are from moderate depths, 5 of them have a more limited Pacific range, with 3 of them from moderate depths and 5 of the known species are Polynesian endemics.

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, PAKAIHI I TE MOANA, RAPA 2002, ???msg.security.private???, SMCB, TARASOC

The Coralliophilinae is a large subfamily of Muricidae, including 200-250 species that feed exclusively on anthozoans. The material collected during the expeditions BENTHAUS and RAPA 2002 at Austral Islands are reviewed. Twenty-eigth species are recorded, one species is described as new, Coralliophila australis n. sp., diagnosed by its large size and elongated shape. All but one species showed a planktotrophic development, 10 species (36%) were from shallow waters and 15 species (54%) from deep waters. The smaller proportion of deep water coralliophiline species (compared to the range and average on a global scale) in this marginal area of the Pacific, suggests that marginality may affect the deep water faunas more than the shallow water ones.

BENTHAUS, RAPA 2002

Sixteen species of Caecidae are discussed herein, coming from the South-Pacific Ocean. The specimens were collected from several of the 120 islands of French Polynesia. Eight species are described as new, i.e. C. tahitianum n. sp., C. danielei n. sp., C. kontiki n. sp., C. cooki n. sp., C. bounty n. sp., C. australe n. sp., C. geigeri n. sp. and Meioceras boucheti n. sp., along with additional data on other species. Furthermore, a morphotype of Strebloceras subannulatum Folin, 1879 from Tahiti is also illustrated and discussed.

BENTHAUS, MUSORSTOM 9, RAPA 2002, SMCB

A new species of vermetid gastropod belonging to the genus Novastoa Finlay, 1926, N. rapaitiensis sp. nov., is described from French Polynesia and the Great Barrier Reef, based on morpho-anatomical and molecular data, increasing the recognized extant diversity of this genus from five to six species. The new species is characterized by the largest operculum in the genus to date, with a conspicuous spindle-shaped mammilla that readily distinguishes this species from its congeners. Based on available data, members of the studied populations of N. rapaitiensis sp. nov. are interpreted as a single species, although slight morphological and color differences exist between localities separated by up to 7000 km. The larval development of N. rapaitiensis sp. nov. is inferred to be direct, raising new questions about genetic connectivity and dispersal trajectories across a vast geographic range. Additional molecular data may prove helpful in refining our current knowledge on the morphological variability within this species and verifying the degree of cryptic diversity in this genus.

RAPA 2002

The RAPA 2002 workshop permitted the first comprehensive collection of polyplacophorans from the island of Rapa (Austral Islands, South Pacific) to be made. The collection includes three genera and three species, two of the species being new to science. The isolation of Rapa may explain the uniqueness of this small polyplacophoran fauna. The two new species are: Leptochiton hiriensis n. sp. and Chiton (Rhyssoplax) rapaitiensis n. sp. The latter species, which is the most common (83% of the specimens), is a brooder. Leptochiton hiriensis n. sp. differs from congeneric species of the same size in the sculpture of the valves, which show concentric growth marks in the central area and concentrically arranged nodules in the head valve, postmucronal region of the tail valve and the lateral areas. Chiton (Rhyssoplax) rapaitiensis n. sp. is compared to the related species C. (R.) linsleyi (Burghardt, 1973), C (R.) rhynchotus (de Rochebrune, 1884), and C. (R.) maldivensis (E. A. Smith in Gardiner, 1903). In addition to its smaller size, the new species differs in tegmental sculpture and in the ornamentation of the dorsal girdle scale. Onithochiton lyellii (Sowerby, 1832), a species also known from the Gambier Islands and Pitcairn Islands, is restricted herein to the Polynesian region. In addition to the descriptions of the new species, characters relevant in identification of O. lyellii are described and illustrated for the first time in scanning electron micrographs.

RAPA 2002

A new genus, Limatium gen. n., and two new species, L. pagodula sp. n. and L. aureum sp. n. are described, found on outer slopes of barrier reefs and fringing reefs in the South Pacific. They are rare for cerithiids, which typically occur in large populations. The two new species are represented by 108 specimens sampled over a period of 30 years, only 16 of which were collected alive. Three subadults from the Philippines and Vanuatu likely represent a third species. In addition to their rarity, Limatium species are atypical for cerithiids in their smooth, polished, honey to golden brown shells with distinctive white fascioles extending suture to suture. The radula presents a unique morphology that does not readily suggest an affinity to any of the cerithiid subfamilies. Two live-collected specimens, one of each species and designated as holotypes, were preserved in 95% ethanol and sequenced. Bayesian analysis of partial COI and 16S rDNA sequences demonstrates a placement in the Bittiinae, further extending our morphological concept of the subfamily.

ATIMO VATAE, BATHUS 1, BENTHAUS, BORDAU 2, CORAIL 2, EBISCO, INHACA 2011, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 3, PANGLAO 2004, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006, Tuhaa Pae 2013, ???msg.security.private???

New records of Chilodontidae species described from various Pacific localities are listed, extending their distribution. 15 new species are described from New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Solomon Islands and Taiwan, and compared with similar species: Vaceuchelus cavernoides n. sp., V. phaios n. sp., V. rapaensis n. sp., Herpetopoma pantantoi n. sp., H. vitilevuense n. sp., H. hivaoaense n. sp., Euchelus polysarkon n. sp., Ascetostoma pteroton n. sp., Clypeostoma chranos n. sp., C. adelon n. sp., Pholidotrope asteroeides n. sp., P. choiseulensis n. sp., Danilia stroggylon n. sp., Perrinia cantharidoides n. sp. and P. guadalcanalensis n. sp. Two new synonymies are established: Vaceuchelus saguili Poppe, Tagaro & Dekker, 2006 from the Philippines is synonymized with V. favosus (Melvill & Standen, 1896), and V. vangoethemi Poppe, Tagaro & Dekker, 2006 from the Philippines is synonymized with V. clathratus (A.Adams, 1853)

AURORA 2007, BATHUS 1, BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, BENTHAUS, BERYX 11, BIOCAL, BIOGEOCAL, BOA0, BOA1, BORDAU 1, BORDAU 2, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CONCALIS, CORAIL 2, EBISCO, KARUBAR, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, ???msg.security.private???, MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 10, MUSORSTOM 3, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 7, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2, PALEO-SURPRISE, PANGLAO 2004, PANGLAO 2005, RAPA 2002, SALOMON 1, SALOMON 2, SALOMONBOA 3, SANTO 2006, SMIB 3, SMIB 8, ???msg.security.private???, ???msg.security.private???, TAIWAN 2000, TAIWAN 2001, TAIWAN 2002, VAUBAN 1978-1979, VOLSMAR

The stomatopods from the Austral and Gambier Islands, southern French Polynesia, collected primarily by the BENTHAUS Expedition (2002) are reported herein. Prior to the present study, only one species of stomatopod, Bathysquilla microps (Manning, 1961), was known from the Austral Islands and two from the Gambier Islands, Gonodactylus chiragra (Fabricius, 1781) and Pseudosquilla ciliata (Fabricius, 1787). Seven of nine species in the present collection are reported for the first time from the area, of which Gonodactylellus rubriguttatus (Erdmann & Manning, 1998) and Odontodactylus hawaiiensis Manning, 1967, are reported for the first time from French Polynesia. The series of specimens of G. rubriguttatus includes the largest known of the species, which also shows significantly longer accessory median carinae of the telson than previously reported. Owing to previous taxonomic instability in Chorisquilla excavata (Miers, 1880), the type species of its genus, it is redescribed based on type and other material.

BENTHAUS, RAPA 2002

The genus Galathea is one of the most speciose and unwieldy groups in the family Galatheidae. The examination of more than 9000 specimens of 144 species collected in the Indian and Pacific Oceans using morphological and molecular characters, has revealed the existence of 92 new species. The specimens examined during this study were obtained by various French expeditions supplemented by other collections from various sources, and including the type specimens of some previously described species. Most of the new species are distinguished by subtle but constant morphological differences, which are in agreement with molecular divergences of the mitochondrial markers COI and/or 16S rRNA. Here, we describe and illustrate the new species and redescribe some previously described species for which earlier accounts are not sufficiently detailed for modern standards. Furthermore we include a dichotomous identification key to all species in the genus from the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

ATIMO VATAE, BATHUS 1, BATHUS 2, BATHUS 3, BATHUS 4, BENTHAUS, BENTHEDI, BIOCAL, BIOPAPUA, BOA0, BOA1, BORDAU 1, BORDAU 2, CALSUB, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CORAIL 2, ???msg.security.private???, CORINDON 2, ???msg.security.private???, ???msg.security.private???, EBISCO, HALIPRO 1, KARUBAR, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MAINBAZA, MD32 (REUNION), MIRIKY, MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 1, MUSORSTOM 10, MUSORSTOM 2, MUSORSTOM 3, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 5, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 7, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, NORFOLK 1, NORFOLK 2, PAKAIHI I TE MOANA, PALEO-SURPRISE, PANGLAO 2004, PAPUA NIUGINI, ???msg.security.private???, RAPA 2002, ???msg.security.private???, SALOMON 1, SALOMON 2, SANTO 2006, SMIB 5, SMIB 8, ???msg.security.private???, ???msg.security.private???, TERRASSES

ATIMO VATAE, BENTHAUS, BIOMAGLO, BIOPAPUA, CALSUB, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CORAIL 2, EBISCO, EXBODI, KANACONO, KANADEEP, KARUBAR, KAVIENG 2014, KOUMAC 2.3, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MD08 (BENTHOS), MD32 (REUNION), MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 1, MUSORSTOM 2, MUSORSTOM 3, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, PAKAIHI I TE MOANA, PALEO-SURPRISE, PAPUA NIUGINI, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006, TARASOC, Walters Shoal

The genus Phylladiorhynchus Baba, 1969 currently contains 11 species, all occurring in the shallow waters and on the continental shelf of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Recent expeditions in these oceans have resulted in the collection of numerous new specimens in need of analysis. We have studied this material using an integrative approach analysing both morphological and molecular (COI and 16S) characters. We describe 41 new species and resurrect three old names: P. integrus (Benedict, 1902) and P. lenzi (Rathbun, 1907), previously synonymized with P. pusillus (Henderson, 1885), and P. serrirostris (Melin, 1939), previously synonymized with P. integrirostris (Dana, 1852). Most species of the genus are described and illustrated. Some species are barely discernible on the basis of morphological characters but are highly divergent genetically. Species of Phylladiorhynchus are mainly distinguishable by the number of epigastric spines and lateral spines of the carapace, the shape and the armature of the rostrum, the number and pattern of the ridges on the carapace and pleon, the shape of thoracic sternite 3 and the armature of the P2–4 dactyli. A dichotomous identification key to all species is provided.

ATIMO VATAE, BENTHAUS, BIOMAGLO, BIOPAPUA, CALSUB, CHALCAL 1, CHALCAL 2, CORAIL 2, EBISCO, EXBODI, KANACONO, KANADEEP, KARUBAR, KAVIENG 2014, KOUMAC 2.1, KOUMAC 2.3, LAGON, LIFOU 2000, MD08 (BENTHOS), MD32 (REUNION), MONTROUZIER, MUSORSTOM 1, MUSORSTOM 2, MUSORSTOM 3, MUSORSTOM 4, MUSORSTOM 6, MUSORSTOM 8, MUSORSTOM 9, PAKAIHI I TE MOANA, PALEO-SURPRISE, PAPUA NIUGINI, RAPA 2002, SANTO 2006, TARASOC, Walters Shoal

RAPA 2002