Toxoglossan gastropods of the subfamily Crassispirinae (Turridae) lacking a radula, and a discussion of the status of the subfamily Zemaciinae

Two new species of Horaiclavus, lacking radula, venom glandand proboscis, are described. The genus is placed in the subfamilyCrassispirinae (Turridae). Both species possess a peculiar foregutstructure, the muscular rhynchodaeal outgrowth situated in therhynchocoel. The possible function of the rhynchodaeal outgrowthis discussed. Other studied species of Horaiclavus possess aradula of a typical ‘crassispirine’ type but lackthe outgrowth. The anatomy of the foregut of the new speciesis superficially similar to that of Zemacies excelsa (Turridae:Zemaciinae), which also possesses an additional structure ofthe rhynchocoel, namely the ‘pyriform gland’. Conchologically,there is no resemblance between Zemacies and Horaiclavus andit is concluded that similar foregut arrangement appeared independentlyin both lineages. A new monotypic subfamily Zemaciinae was erectedmostly on the basis of the unique foregut arrangement of Zemaciesexcelsa. We express doubts concerning the importance of thesecharacters in establishing a new taxon of subfamilial rank andtherefore the validity of the subfamily Zemaciinae. (Received 16 May 2007; accepted 1 October 2007)