A new genus and species of Thyasiridae (Mollusca, Bivalvia) from deep-water, Beaufort Sea, northern Alaska

• Published in: ZooKeys
• Main Authors: Paul Valentich-Scott, Charles L. Powell II, Thomas D. Lorenson, Brian E. Ewards
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Pensoft Publishers 2014
• Subjects: Zoology; QL1-991; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Pacific; Beaufort Sea; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.462.6790; https://doaj.org/article/8498ba4035ff4df1905b9f409f514834

Bivalve mollusk shells were collected in 2350 m depth in the Beaufort Sea, Arctic Ocean off northern Alaska. Initial identification suggested the specimens were a member of the bivalve family Thyasiridae, but no known eastern Pacific or Arctic living or fossil thyasirid resembled these deep-water specimens. Comparisons were made with the type of the genera Maorithyas Fleming, 1950, Spinaxinus Oliver & Holmes, 2006, Axinus Sowerby, 1821, and Parathyasira Iredale, 1930. We determined the Beaufort Sea species represents a new genus, herein described as Wallerconcha. These specimens also represent a new species, herein named Wallerconcha sarae. These new taxa are compared with known modern and fossil genera and species of thyasirds.