Szabó János szerk.: Fragmenta Mineralogica Et Palaentologica 26. 2008. (Budapest, 2008)
On the conical specimen, the number of spiral ornamental elements are larger but they are weaker and the collabral ridges dominate over the granulae. On the other specimen, the granulae are much stronger and the ridges are only just visible. Further and better preserved specimens are needed to solve this problem. Distribution — Hallstatt, Hierlatz Alpe, Upper Sinemurian (Oxynotum Zone). Genus Proconulus COSSMANN, 1918 Type species: TrochusguillieriCOSSMANN, 1885 Proconulus avernus (STOLICZKA, 1861) (Figure 66) 1861: Trochus Avernus STOL. — STOLICZKA, p. 172, pi. 2, fig. 6. 1911: Trochus Avernus STOL. — M. GEMMELLARO, p. 224, pi. 10, figs. 3-4. Lectotype — GBa 2008/69/20/1 (selected here). M a t e r l a 1 — A single, damaged specimen; some uncertain ones are also in the background collection. Measurements H 111. HP lectotype - 10.6 7.6 Shape — Medium sized, turbiniform — conical shell with rather high, con\ r ex whorls and shallow, canaliculate suture. On last whorl, narrow, steep ramp also develops. Periphery angular and bearing single, weak carina. Base convex and anomphalous. Peristome of "Proconulus type", slightly prosocline and discontinuous. Sculpture — Whorls and base ornamented by spiral threads, equally strong on juvenile whorls but second generation also appearing from penultimate whorl and on base between pairs of earlier ones. Growth lines rather irregular and making surface of whorls uneven. Remarks — Shell shape and ornament is near to that of Proconulus baldensis (PARONA, 1894) (see: CONTI & SZABÓ 1987) from the Mediterranean Bajocian. The observable differences are the somewhat more slender shell of P. avernus and its fewer whorls. However, P. baldensis is extremely variable and this shape may occur within also the latter species. Regarding the significant difference in the age of the two species, their independency is quite conceivable, however, further and better preserved material is D W AA AL 11.6 7 57° 57° needed to make a more reliable comparison. Distribution — Hallstatt, Hierlatz Alpe, Upper Sinemurian (Oxynotum Zone); Galati (East Sicily), Upper Pliensbachian. Figure 66 — Proconulus avernus (STOLICZKA, 1861), lectotype. — 6 a—b: copy of the original figures from STOLICZKA'S (1861) Tafel II; A-C: apertural (A), dorsal (B) and basal (B) view in natural size; D: magnified apertural view to show the details, X2.5. Proconulus? scherinus (G. G. GEMMELLARO, 1874) (Figure 67: E-H) 1874: Trochus Scherinus GEMM. — GEMMELLARO, G. G, p. 99, pl. 12, figs 10 a-b. 1981: Proconulus scherinus (GEMMELLARO, 1874) — SZABÓ, p. 56, pl. 1, figs 4—5. Material — Five damaged, shelly specimens (HGM). Measurements H HL HP Figure 67: E-H 13 4.5 3 Shape — Dextral, conical shell with slighdy acute apex. Whorls flat or feebly convex. Peripher}' roundedangular; base slightly convex, anomphalous; peristome quadrangular and prosocline, its columellar part bearing weak callus. Sculpture — Shell ornamented by growth lines, being prosocline on whorls and opisthocyrt on base. Obscure spiral line fragments also appear randomly under D W AA AL 7.5 4 35° 28° magnification, in 0.5-1 whorl length. Remarks — The base of a juvenile specimen is concentrically striated, corresponding mostly to GEMMELLARO's description. The adult specimens are without distinct spiral lines and their form is also slightly different: the surface of the last 1—2 whorls is somewhat more convex and the peripher}' is more rounded than on GEMMELLARO's figures. From the species occurring in
